GLUTATHIONE AND HIV-INFECTION - REDUCED REDUCED, OR INCREASED OXIDIZED

Glutathione is the main intracellular defence against oxidative stress and regulates the cellular redox potential. HIV infection is accompan ied by severe metabolic and immune dysfunctions. Several laboratories have demonstrated that the intracellular redox balance is disturbed in CD4+ T cells from HN-seropositive subjects, which may potentiate HIV replication and partly explain the immunological abnormalities associa ted with HIV disease. The importance of glutathione for immune functio n, regulation of gene expression, as well as therapeutic interventions with redox-active drugs are discussed in this commentary.