Immune Response to HIV and HTLV Infections and Coinfections

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) are two important human retroviruses with overlapping endemic regions and routes of transmission. Both viruses primarily target the immune system but induce distinct and often divergent immunological consequences; while HIV leads to progressive immune depletion and acquired immunodeficiency, HTLV infection may drive abnormal T-cell proliferation and inflammatory disorders, such as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and HAM/TSP. In regions where these viruses co-circulate, coinfection can occur and is associated with altered clinical outcomes, unique immune responses, and greater complexity in patient management. Although much is understood about HIV and HTLV monoinfections separately, significant knowledge gaps persist regarding the mechanisms, consequences, and clinical implications of coinfection. Ongoing research continues to unravel how these viruses interact at the cellular and molecular level, yet much remains to be discovered about the immunological signatures, pathogenesis, and consequences of coinfection.This Research Topic aims to consolidate current research and encourage novel insights into the immune response to HIV, HTLV, and their coinfections. The main objective is to highlight both differences and overlaps in immunopathogenesis, to clarify how coinfection influences immune activation, disease progression, and therapy responses, and to foster a deeper understanding of the unique clinical challenges in these populations. Key questions include how the innate and adaptive immune responses diverge or converge in coinfected individuals, what cellular and molecular pathways determine susceptibility and outcomes, and how biomarkers and immune signatures can inform treatment and prevention strategies.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses both basic and clinical research related to immune responses in HIV and HTLV infections, individually and in combination. Manuscripts presenting original research, comprehensive reviews, and perspectives are welcomed. To gather further insights in this field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Innate and adaptive immune responses to HIV, HTLV, and their coinfectionso Differences in immune activation, exhaustion, and inflammation in mono- versus coinfectiono The impact of coinfection on disease progression, viral reservoir dynamics, and clinical manifestationso Effects of antiretroviral or other treatments on immune restoration in coinfected individualso Biomarkers, diagnostic challenges, and novel therapeutic strategies for HIV/HTLV coinfectiono Host genetic and epigenetic influences on immune response and disease susceptibilityo Epidemiological and translational studies relevant to immunopathogenesis in coinfected populationsBy assembling contributions in this area, this Research Topic seeks to generate new knowledge that may improve the understanding, management, and prevention of these important infections and their interplay.Please note that Dr. Carlos Brites has current research grants from GSK and has previously received grants from Pfizer and MSD.Please note that Dr. Bobby Brooke Herrera is a co-founder of Mir Biosciences, Inc. Topic editors: CARLOS BRITES, Antonio C. R. Vallinoto, Bobby Brooke Herrera Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81375/immune-response-to-hiv-and-htlv-infections-and-coinfections