Review

Intracellular immunity to HIV-1: newly defined retroviral battles inside infected cells

Yong-Hui Zheng and B Matija Peterlin

Departments of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Russell Arthritis Research Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0703, USA

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Retrovirology 2005, 2:25doi:10.1186/1742-4690-2-25

Published:	13 April 2005

Abstract

Studies of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) continue to enrich eukaryotic biology and immunology. Recent advances have defined factors that function after viral entry and prevent the replication of proviruses in the infected cell. Some of these attack directly viral structures whereas others edit viral genetic material during reverse transcription. Together, they provide strong and immediate intracellular immunity against incoming pathogens. These processes also offer a tantalizing glimpse at basic cellular mechanisms that might restrict the movement of mobile genetic elements and protect the genome.