GP120-INDUCED PROGRAMMED CELL-DEATH IN RECENTLY ACTIVATED T-CELLS WITHOUT SUBSEQUENT LIGATION OF THE T-CELL RECEPTOR

In most individuals, HIV infection is characterized by a progressive d ecline in the number of peripheral blood CD4(+) T lymphocytes, and whi le the number of CD4(+) cells is within the normal range, defects in i mmune function are detectable. To date neither the decline in function nor the decline in cell number have been satisfactorily explained. He re we describe a mechanism which may contribute to the immunodeficienc y and decline in CD4(+) cell numbers in HIV-infected individuals. We s how that recently activated T cells are susceptible to apoptosis when exposed to HIV gp120 in the presence of anti-gp220 antibody.