Welcome to the Levy Laboratory. Our focus is on HIV pathogenesis. We are particularly interested in innate immune responses in controlling HIV infection and preventing virus transmission. Included in our studies is the identification of the CD8+ cell antiviral factor (CAF) which blocks HIV replication. Moreover, in our studies of innate immunity, we focus on plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDC) which are the major producers of IFN- a . This cytokine blocks virus replication and can have a variety of effects influencing HIV pathogenesis. Finally, our laboratory is working on developing an effective HIV vaccine using an approach that involves induction of innate immunity which can enhance adaptive immune responses.
