TNF and TNF Receptor Superfamily Members in HIV infection: New Cellular Targets for Therapy?

Figure 3

4-1BB and OX40 signaling enhance anti-HIV immunity, leading to therapeutic effects. Agonists 4-1BB or OX40 specific antibodies can induce enhanced anti-HIV T cell (CD4+ and CD8+ T cell) response in HIV-1 infected patients. The ligation of OX40/4-1BB antibodies activates OX40/4-1BB signaling that results in enhanced CD4+ T cell response through increased cytokine production and increased survival of memory T cells. TRAFs and NF-kappaB signaling has been shown to be important for the generation of memory T cells. Potential antiviral mechanisms of OX40/4-1BB include an increase in CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity through perforins and granzymes and an increase in Fas/FasL mediated HIV-infected cell killing.