Dynamic roles for NF-κB in HTLV-I and HIV-1 retroviral pathogenesis

Viruses and hosts are involved in a continuing arms race. The body deploys multiple defenses; however, viruses utilize generally superior and more rapidly evolving tactics for negating host immune surveillance and viral clearance. In the case of the two major pathogenic human retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and human T-lymphotrophic virus-I (HTLV-I), the nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) transcription factor plays a key role in the hosts anti-viral responses involving both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response. Similarly, these retroviruses capably exploit NF-?B for their replication, spread, and pathogenic functions. In this review, we discuss the dynamic and intimate interplay that occurs between NF-?B and the HTLV-I and HIV-1 retroviral pathogens.