Bells
Staff member
"How Apoptosis May Be Triggered in HIV Infection"
They use "may" and "can" a lot, just like anyone who is writing a speculative story about a proposed mechanism. A reasonable person might well decide to withhold the undying faith kind of belief until more results are in. Apoptosis is a very common mechanism in living tissue that helps prevent tumors, helps remove senescent cells, and helps prevent the immune system from attacking living tissue, because living tissue can trigger apoptosis in white blood cells. This last is very necessary because there are circumstances under which white blood cells can attack tissues that the body is still using.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apoptosis
Is it or is it not correct to say that "reasoned speculation" by HIV experts should not be taken as gospel?
From the site you linked:
HIV progression
The progression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to AIDS is primarily due to the depletion of CD4+ T-helper lymphocytes, which leads to a compromised immune system. The mechanism by which T-helper cells are depleted is apoptosis, which can be the end product of multiple biochemical pathways[24]:
1. HIV enzymes inactivate anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and simultaneously activate pro-apoptotic procaspase-8. This does not directly cause cell death but primes the cell for apoptosis should the appropriate signal be received.
2. HIV products may increase levels of cellular proteins which have a promotive effect on Fas-mediated apoptosis.
3. HIV proteins decrease the amount of CD4 glycoprotein marker present on the cell membrane.
4. Released viral particles and proteins present in extracellular fluid are able to induce apoptosis in nearby "bystander" T-helper cells.
5. HIV decreases the production of molecules involved in marking the cell for apoptosis, giving the virus time to replicate and continue releasing apoptotic agents and virions into the surrounding tissue.
Your link
Hmmm...