HIV Nef: Role in Pathogenesis and Viral Fitness

Title: HIV Nef: Role in Pathogenesis and Viral Fitness

Volume: 6 Issue: 3

Author(s): Kevin K. Arien and Bruno Verhasselt

Affiliation:

Keywords: HIV, nef, fitness, pathogenesis, replication

Abstract: Conserved in all primate lentivirus genomes, Nef promotes viral replication and infectivity, influences the trafficking of a large number of surface receptors and interferes with TCR signalling, consequently modulating T-cell activation. In vivo observations with Long Term Non-Progressors harbouring a Nef-defective HIV and vaccination studies with Nef-deleted SIV in Rhesus macaques have shown a prominent role for Nef in lentiviral pathogenesis. Here we review the functions of Nef involved in viral replication and infectivity and speculate on a possible role for Nef in HIV fitness.

Cite this article as:

Arien K. Kevin and Verhasselt Bruno, HIV Nef: Role in Pathogenesis and Viral Fitness, Current HIV Research 2008; 6 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016208784325001