Loss of IL-7Rα is associated with CD4 T-cell depletion, high interleukin-7 levels and CD28 down-regulation in HIV infected patients

Abstract

The positive effects of IL-7 on survival and homeostatic proliferation of T cells might be severely impaired in HIV-infected individuals due to IL-7Ralpha down-regulation. Differentiation towards a CD28-negative memory phenotype in response to chronic activation may lead to an overall decrease of IL-7 mediated survival within the peripheral T-cell pool.