INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS IN UNINFECTED LYMPHOCYTES BY HIV-1 TAT PROTEIN

Infection by human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) is typified b y the progressive depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes and deterioration of immune function in most patients. A central unresolved issue in acquir ed immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pathogenesis is the mechanism unde rlying this T cell depletion. HIV-1 Tat protein was shown to induce ce ll death by apoptosis in a T cell line and in cultured peripheral bloo d mononuclear cells from uninfected donors, This Tat-induced apoptosis was inhibitable by growth factors and was associated with enhanced ac tivation of cyclin-dependent kinases.