Cell Activation And Apoptosis In Hiv Infection

In the past decade, the global efforts in the control of HIV disease were basically concentrated on the search for anti-retroviral agents. So far, anti-HIV therapies have been shown to be disappointing because of rapid development of drug-resistant mutant variants. Despite this drawback in the therapeutic fight against HIV infection, antiviral research should be actively pursued. However, failure of antiviral therapy indicates that other avenues of research should be rapidly explored with the same energy. In this setting, striking advances have been recently made in the dissection and understanding of the viro-immunological processes governing the progressive destruction of lymphoid organs associated with AIDS develop ment, and HIV-induced activation and apoptosis have been identified as key phenomena of the immune system destruction. This book assembles the most recent advances on basic and clinical aspects ofT-cell activationiapoptosis in HIV infection and their implications for immunotherapy. These data were presented at an international symposium held on July 11-12, 1994, in Paris. The book is partitioned into 21 chapters covering four comprehensive fields: 1) T-celllmacrophage activation and HIV infection; 2) Apoptosis and viropathogenesis of HI V disease; 3) Apop tosis and immunopathogenesis ofHIV disease; 4) Mediators ofT-cell activationiapoptosis and therapeutic applications. We hope that this book will assist the readers in understanding recent advances in the viro-immunopathogenesis of HI V disease as well as the rationales for potential immune cell-targeted therapeutic interventions.

In an effort to go beyond immune-based therapies, researchers are now considering the implications of apoptosis dysregulation during HIV-induced immunodeficiency. This work provides the first comprehensive compendium of the progress made in understanding the process of cell death related to HIV and the potential breakthroughs in treatment that offer much promise. Combining the work of more than two-dozen top researchers, this seminal volume provides clinicians and researchers with an excellent reference, while also serving as an incubator to stimulate future research. It explains the fundamental biology involved with apoptosis, explains its clinical impact in HIV, and examines the newest therapeutic approaches.

Leading experts provide the only comprehensive book examining all aspects of immune response and immune-based treatments for HIV infection. Contributions, divided into three sections, discuss basic mechanisms, immunopathogenesis of HIV infection, and immune-based therapies. Researchers thoroughly review vaccine-including prospects of T cell vaccine-and gene therapy for HIV infection. Additional topics include organization of HIV genes, the role of co-receptors in signaling of lymphocytes, and biological response modifiers. This reference is designed for basic and clinical researchers, internists, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, neuropathologists, oncologists, and rheumatologists.

A comprehensive account of HIV and AIDS, the management of the disease and potential vaccines. This book is essential reading for medical students and clinicians, and of major interest to students and researchers in the life sciences.

In any movement of their life, immune cells, especially T and B lymphocytes, are confronted with an essential choice: to continue their existence or to commit a sort of metabolic suicide that is referred to as apoptosis or programmed cell death. In contrast to most philosophers, lymphocytes and their precursors are constantly susceptible to suicide, and it even appears that the usual cause of T or B cell elimination is suicide rather than death from natural causes, accidents or murder. This book provides a vast overview of lymphocytes suicide: external triggers and internal motives leading to suicidal impulses, accomplices in self-destruction, weapons implicated in self-execution, removal of dead bodies and pharmacological prevention of suicide. Most of the chapters in this book are devoted to the physiology of apoptosis. The goal is to unmask the external triggers of apoptosis, unravel the signal transduction pro cesses involved therein and describe the role of oncogenes, "death genes" and effector molecules in the apoptotic cas cade. The remaining chapters deal with the pathophysiologi cal aspects of lymphocyte apoptosis, namely, as a host contribution to HIV-induced lymphopenia, and therapeutic strategies for the avoidance of lymphocyte death. We are confident that this compendium will contribute to the exploration of cellular suicide, not only from a basic scientist's viewpoint but also with regard to the possible clinical implications of apoptosis (dys)regulation. Far from having a depressing effect on the reader, cellular suicide may thus provide a source of both intellectual excitement and therapeutic inspiration.

This volume summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 latency, in characterizing residual viral reservoirs, and in developing targeted interventions to reduce HIV-1 persistence during antiretroviral therapy. Specific chapters address the molecular mechanisms that govern and regulate HIV-1 transcription and latency; assays and technical approaches to quantify viral reservoirs in humans and animal models; the complex interchange between viral reservoirs and the host immune system; computational strategies to model viral reservoir dynamics; and the development of therapeutic approaches that target viral reservoir cells. With contributions from an interdisciplinary group of investigators that cover a broad spectrum of subjects, from molecular virology to proof-of-principle clinical trials, this book is a valuable resource for basic scientists, translational investigators, infectious-disease physicians, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and the general public.

This authoritative handbook covers all aspects of immunosenescence, with contributions from experts in the research and clinical areas. It examines methods and models for studying immunosenescence; genetics; mechanisms including receptors and signal transduction; clinical relevance in disease states including infections, autoimmunity, cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, frailty and osteoporosis; and much more.