Abstract
The hallmark of HIV infection
is the depletion of CD4⁺ T cells
in peripheral blood, lymphoid
organs, and mucosal tissues. Since
CD4⁺ T cells play an essential role in
immune defenses against almost all
pathogens, HIV-positive patients are
subject to a variety of opportunistic
infections. Despite decades of intensive
research, the mechanisms underlying
CD4⁺ T cell depletion remain widely
debated.
