Question

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preferentially destroys CD⁴ T cells. Specifically, what effects does this have on antibodies and cell-mediated immunity? Infer from your response, if you'll be more likely to develop opportunistic infections or not as a result of HIV infection.

Answer 1

CD4 are the biomarkers that are present on the surface of the T cells , specifically TH cells. The CD 4 cells are the adhesion molecules that binds to the Class II MHC molecules and help in signal transduction. The Class II MHC molecule-CD4 and the T cells form a ternary complex when encountering an antigen and help in antigen presentation to B cells. The activation of T cells allow rapid monoconal selection and production of more T cells and the signal helps in secreting the cytokines that causes inflammation and rapid immune response.

HIV virus infects the T cells that carry the CD4 antigen on their surface and also affect other monocytes that have CD4 on their surface. With inactivation and decrease in the concentration of the CD4 cells, the ability of the immune system to initiate rapid response by the T cells with antigen encounter. Opportunistic infections occur when the normal flora of the body, in certain conditions, becomes pathogenic and cause diseases. The immune system of the body rapidly reacts against these infections via the T cell activation and antigen presentation. With the HIV virus infection, the ability of the T cells to inhibit the other incoming antigens and opportunistic pathogens will decrease and the body will be exposed to more diseases. The body will be more likely to get infected by opportunistic pathogens.