HIV And AIDS part 2

HIV infects CD4+ T cells and macrophages, both pivotal cells in
immune defense : severe immunodeficiency
HIV induces cell-cycle arrest: sustained latent infections
Direct cytopathic effect is low. CD4 T cell deletion by:
– Attack of infected cells by CTL
– Syncitia?
– Activation-driven apoptosis following multiple infections
Gradual shift of cell tropism:
– Initial infection of macrophages and DC by R5
– Shift towards X4 and infection of T cells
– Reservoirs of infected cells in lymph nodes (Macrophages, memory T
cells)
High rate of mutations: mutation rate 4 × 10−3 per base per cell, which
is the highest reported mutation rate for any biological entity.