Pathogenesis of AIDS lymphoma: role of oncogenic viruses and B cell activation-associated molecular lesions.
OBJECTIVE
We discuss recently published studies that elucidate the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated lymphoma.


RESULTS
Several recent reports have provided valuable new information on the role of gamma-herpesviruses in the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated lymphoma. In addition to this, significant new information has become available on how B cell activation-associated DNA-modifying events, involving activation-induced cytidine deaminase and DNA polymerase-eta, contribute to the molecular lesions that result in AIDS-associated lymphoma. In particular, new evidence that oncogenic viruses can directly induce activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression and oncogene mutation in human B cells is of central relevance to better understanding the pathogenesis of AIDS-associated lymphoma.


CONCLUSIONS
New information provides insights into the contributions of immune dysfunction and oncogenic virus infection to pathogenesis of AIDS-associated lymphoma, and may lead to new potential targets for therapeutic intervention in these cancers.
Epeldegui
Marta
M
Department of Microbiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095-1740, USA.
Widney
Daniel P
DP
Martínez-Maza
Otoniel
O
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D003564:Cytidine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D016483:Lymphoma, AIDS-Related / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000821:virology; D009858:Oncogenic Viruses / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases
D003564:Cytidine Deaminase; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; C112338:Rad30 protein; D000099270:Y-Family DNA Polymerases