IMMUNOSENESCENCE IN HIV PATHOGENESIS

Telomeres are complex protein-DNA structures located at the ends of eu karyotic chromosomes. In a normal cell, telomere DNA shortens with cel l divisions. Such a telomere loss may act as a mitotic clock to eventu ally signal cell cycling exit and cellular senescence. In a transversa l study, we found a marked decrease in telomere length of peripheral b lood mononuclear cells in HIV-infected patients with advanced immunode ficiency. This telomere reduction concerns T4, T8, and B lymphocytes, providing evidence of high turnover of these cells in the course of HI V infection. These data suggest that replicative senescence could be i nvolved in the final immunosuppression and may have important therapeu tical implications. (C) 1997 Academic Press.