Question

What are T cells? How does HIV affect T cells? Why is this detrimental to a person’s health?

Answer 1

T cells is a type of lymphocyte. They play an essential role in cell-mediated immunity. They can be differentiated from other lymphocytes(B cells and natural killer cells) by the presence of a T-cell receptor on the cell surface.

HIV leads to AIDS. This virus destroys essential immune cells known as CD4 T cells. It causes the death of most CD4 T cells in lymphoid tissues during infection. CD4 T cells despite their ability to resist infection by HIV in lymphoid tissues. It responds to the presence of viral DNA by sacrificing themselves by the process of pyroptosis. This process is highly inflammatory form of cell death. HIV attracts more CD4 T cells to the region and forms a nasty cycle and wreaks destruction on the immune system.

Killer T-cells find and destroy infected cells, which have turned into virus-making factories. T cells if the invader gets inside the T cells lock on to the infected cell. They multiply and destroy immune system.