Inhibition of T lymphocyte activation and apoptotic cell death by cyclosporin A and tacrolimus (FK506). Its relevance to therapy of HIV infection.

Theoretically, drugs that inhibit programmed cell death could be used to inhibit the increased apoptotic decay of lymphocyte populations in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The concept that immunopathologic processes cause immune suppression provides a further rationale for the use of agents such as cyclosporin A (CsA) or tacrolimus (formerly known as FK506) early in HIV infection to reduce cytotoxic CD8+ T cell-mediated destruction of HIV-infected target cells.