Dear Editor,

HIV-1 infection leads to the progressive depletion of CD4+ T cells resulting in immunodeficiency, and apoptosis has been shown to be a major cause of destruction of both infected and uninfected lymphocytes (reviewed by Gougeon1). The mechanisms that contribute to HIV-associated lymphocyte apoptosis include direct killing of infected target cells following viral gene expression and cytopathicity, death of bystander cells by proapoptotic viral proteins released by infected cells, killing of HIV-specific effectors following their sequestration into infected lymphoid tissues and contact with infected dendritic cells, and altered expression of cellular apoptosis regulatory molecules on lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells (APC) as a consequence of HIV-driven immune activation.1

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