Which cells are specifically infected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS?

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Multiple Choice

Which cells are specifically infected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS?

HIV primarily targets cells that coordinate the immune response, specifically CD4+ T helper cells. The virus attaches to the CD4 receptor on these cells and uses a co-receptor (such as CCR5 or CXCR4) to enter. After entry, it reverse-transcribes its RNA into DNA and integrates into the host genome, producing new viruses and often impairing or killing the helper T cell. This depletion of helper T cells disrupts activation of both cytotoxic T cells and B cells, leading to weakening of cell-mediated and humoral immunity and the progression toward AIDS. B cells and natural killer cells don’t rely on the CD4 receptor for entry, so they’re not the primary targets of HIV. Macrophages can be infected by certain strains and can serve as viral reservoirs, but the defining and most characteristic infection is of the CD4+ helper T cells.

HIV primarily targets cells that coordinate the immune response, specifically CD4+ T helper cells. The virus attaches to the CD4 receptor on these cells and uses a co-receptor (such as CCR5 or CXCR4) to enter. After entry, it reverse-transcribes its RNA into DNA and integrates into the host genome, producing new viruses and often impairing or killing the helper T cell. This depletion of helper T cells disrupts activation of both cytotoxic T cells and B cells, leading to weakening of cell-mediated and humoral immunity and the progression toward AIDS.

B cells and natural killer cells don’t rely on the CD4 receptor for entry, so they’re not the primary targets of HIV. Macrophages can be infected by certain strains and can serve as viral reservoirs, but the defining and most characteristic infection is of the CD4+ helper T cells.

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