NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Human telomerase-expressing HIV-specific CD8+ lymphocytes appear to be able to avoid the replicative senescence and functional changes that allow HIV disease progression, researchers report in the November 15th issue of the Journal of Immunology.
“Our research shows that keeping telomerase levels high in the cells that are fighting the HIV infection helps them to control the infection longer and better,” lead investigator Dr. Rita B. Effros told Reuters Health.
Dr. Effros of the David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles and colleagues note that the aberrantly short telomeres seen in the CD8+ T lymphocyte compartment of HIV-infected patients is suggestive of premature exhaustion of protective antiviral responses.
The researchers found that telomerase-transduced cytotoxic T lymphocytes had enhanced and sustained capacity to inhibit HIV replication in culture and showed other antiviral properties.
“These findings suggest that telomere shortening may be the primary driving force behind several aspects of CD8+ T cell dysfunction associated with replicative senescence,” the investigators write.
Although gene therapy was used in the study, Dr. Effros believes that these findings “open the door to possible clinical use of novel drugs, some of which we are already testing in the lab, that would cause the same telomerase-enhancement effect.”
Source: J Immunol 2004;173:6303-6311. [ Google search on this article ]
MeSH Headings:Biological Phenomena, Cell Phenomena, and Immunity: Biological Therapy: Cell Physiology: Genetic Engineering: Genetic Techniques: Investigative Techniques: Pathologic Processes: Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms: Therapeutics: Gene Therapy: Cell Aging: CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes: Disease Progression: Telomerase: Disease Attributes: Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment: Biological Sciences: DiseasesCopyright © 2002 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.
