New insights for FOXO and cell-fate decision in HIV infection and HIV associated neurocognitive disorder

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus Type 1 (HIV-I) infection and associated diseases continue to represent major health problem worldwide.FOXO transcriptional factors play an important role in the regulation of cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, stress resistance, metabolism and differentiation.This chapter will discuss the diverse functions ofFOXO in different cell types including'l-cells, macrophages, neurons and astrocytes within the context ofHIV-I infection. Given the overwhelmingevidence that FOXO proteins influence the cell fate ofimmune cells and involve in the homeostasis ofthe central nervous system (CNS), we will also discuss the potential role ofFOXO factors in HIV-I -associated neurological disorders. © 2009 Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media.