45 – Emerging Role of T Cells in the Central Nervous System

This presentation will address how T cell and specific T cell subsets are revealing new insights in neuroHIV pathogenesis, specifically in HIV neuroinvasion, persistence, and neuroprotection. Recent data will show the establishment and maintenance of infected CD4 T cells in the brain from acute infection to ART-suppression, discuss the role of CD8 T cells in neuropathogenesis and  mechanisms T cells play in both controlling HIV infection and the effects that lead to pathological consequences in the brain. Additional data will address the role of T cells during viral rebound after ART interruption and discuss how to harness  T cells therapeutically to manage the consequences of HIV persistence in the brain.