APOPTOSIS - MECHANISMS AND RELATION TO AIDS

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is considered to lead to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) via the progres sive loss of immune competence in the infected host. Recent research h as highlighted that HIV may indirectly trigger an active cell suicide process, referred to as programmed cell death or apoptosis, that contr ibutes to the decline in lymphocyte counts throughout the course of HI V infection. We review here the main host- and HIV-related factors act ively involved in inducing lymphocyte apoptosis. Among them, the relat ionships linking HIV, the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the cellular redox sytem, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphocyte-associated cer amide generated through the activation of sphingomyelin pathway are re ceiving growing consideration. Recognizing the importance of apoptosis in AIDS pathogenesis may have a great impact on the design of new str ategies for the treatment of the disease. Available data indicate that antioxidant compounds exert antiapoptotic activity. These compounds, in our opinion, should be used in combination regimens with antiretrov iral drugs in the treatment of HIV-infected subjects.