Mechanism of HIV-1-Induced Myelosuppression.

Several mechanisms may be involved in HIV-1-induced impairment of hematopoiesis. (A) HPCs may be infected by HIV-1. (B) The interaction of HIV-1 proteins with HPCs may have a direct effect on hematopoiesis. (C) HIV-1 may indirectly affect HPCs by interacting and/or infecting BM stromal cell populations, making them unable to support normal HPC functions. (D) HIV-1 replication in the BM may lead to changes in the cytokine milieu, which may in turn profoundly impact HPC function.