[Particpation of apoptosis in immunologic processes]

Apoptosis is a biological process that leads certain cells to die in a controlled fashion. Its biochemical manifestation is DNA fragmentation due to the action of an endonuclease and morphological consequence is the formation of apoptotic bodies, seen with light or electron microscopy. Apoptosis is universally important in embryogenesis and morphogenesis of all tissues. Lately, a fundamental role of apoptosis in the physiology and physiopathology of immunological events has been uncovered. This review details the role of apoptosis in the development of auto-tolerance, immunological memory and AIDS pathogenesis.