Apoptosis as a mechanism of natural resistance to HIV-1 infection in an exposed but uninfected population

Abstract

Background: Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, has been reported not only as a pathogenic mechanism, but also as a mechanism of resistance and control of a variety of infections. Particularly during HIV-1 infection, apoptosis is the main mechanism by which infected and uninfected CD4+ lymphocytes are eliminated. However, apoptosis as a mechanism of natural resistance to HIV infection has this far not been explored.

Objective: To determine whether apoptosis could explain, at least in part, the natural resistance to HIV infection observed in some exposed but uninfected individuals (ESN).

Results: Our data shows that peripheral blood monocytes in the ESN group has a predisposition to undergo spontaneous apoptosis, as well as apoptosis induced by HIV infection in vitro, compared with monocyte population from the control group at low risk of HIV infection.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that, in some ESN individuals, monocytes could play an important role in the control of HIV infection by undergoing apoptosis. However, since the variability among individuals is large, studies with larger cohorts focusing in monocyte apoptosis as pathogenic mechanisms are required.