Role of Cytokines and Chemokines in HIV Infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Blood monocytes and resident macrophages are important in vivo cell targets for HIV infection and their role in AIDS pathogenesis are well documented. These cells of innate immune defenses usually survive HIV infection, serve as a major virus reservoir, and function as immunoregulatory cells through secretion of several pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in response to HIV infection, thereby recruiting and activating new target cells for the virus, including CD4+ T cells. This review describes the alterations in the synthesis of host cytokines and chemokines following HIV infection thereby favoring successful survival of the virus inside the host and enhancing the susceptibility of the host to opportunistic infections.