Immune system reconstitution

Immune system reconstitution refers to the restoration or regeneration of normal immune function after it has been depleted by disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or medical procedures like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the context of HIV infection, this process is typically observed after starting antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses viral replication and allows for gradual recovery and expansion of CD4+ T cells. The process can be incomplete or delayed in some individuals, leading to persistent immunodeficiency despite viral suppression. A notable complication associated with rapid immune restoration is immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS)—a paradoxical worsening or unmasking of opportunistic infections due to an exaggerated inflammatory response as the recovering immune system reacts to previously latent pathogens. While "immune system reconstitution" describes an important clinical phenomenon and therapeutic goal, it is not itself a discrete molecular target such as a receptor, enzyme, transporter, or gene product. Rather, it encompasses complex physiological processes involving multiple cell types and signaling pathways. This entry is marked as incorrect for use as a drug target because "immune system reconstitution" describes a broad biological process rather than a specific molecule suitable for direct pharmacological targeting.

Other names

Immune reconstitutionImmune restorationImmune recovery

Not applicable; not a molecular target but a physiological process