In: Biology
What is the mechanism by which the AIDS virus causes deficiency of immune system of the infected person?
The virus causes AIDS is also known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It contains a protein named as 'gp 120' in its envelope. This protein, 'gp 120' can easily bind with CD4 receptors, residing on the membrane of Helper T cell. Helper T cells have two sub-popullations named as Th1 and Th2. Th1 activates cytotoxic T cell and thus activates cell mediated immunity. Th2 activates B lymphocyte and thus activates antibody mediated immunity. The AIDS virus can insert itself by using CD4 receptors. After entrance, the virus ultimately kill the helper T cell. Over time it also kill other helper T cells one by one. Helper T cells play a key role to activate the cell mediated as well as the humoral immunity of our body. The AIDS virus kill the helper T cells and destroy both the humoral and cell mediated immunity. When the immunity gets too lower due to HIV infection, the secondary infection occurs in our body.