Antiretroviral drugs are currently given to HIV-positive patients and are shown to slow the proliferation of the HIV virus, allowing patients to live longer. This research clearly demonstrated the importance of retroviral drugs in allowing for restoration of T cell population. This was done by observing SIV-positive animals that received IL-15 without antiretroviral drugs. This group of animals did not demonstrate the same improvements in T cell levels witnessed in animals receiving both IL-15 and antiretroviral drugs.

"What we now need to better understand is how populations of these crucial T cells are regulated," explained Picker. "We're also hopeful that this research will lead to effective therapies for treating patients with HIV and boosting their immune systems, making them less susceptible."