Question

What is the mechanism by which the AIDS virus causes deficiency of immune system of the infected person?

Answer 1

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.