Human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that attacks and destroys the immune system of our body.

Infected individuals with a compromised immune system can suffer from a wide range of diseases and illnesses that a healthy immune system would typically fight off.

While the exact mechanism of how HIV destroys our immune system is still being studied, researchers have found that the virus has the unique ability to induce self-destruction in infected cells.

What is HIV and how does it work?

HIV is a retrovirus, meaning that it uses RNA as its genetic material, unlike most viruses that use DNA. When the virus enters the host cell, it converts its RNA into DNA using an enzyme called reverse transcriptase.

The viral DNA then integrates itself into the host genome, essentially becoming a part of the host cell’s genetic material. The hijacked cell then starts producing more virus particles until it eventually bursts, releasing the new virus particles into the bloodstream to infect other cells.

HIV primarily targets CD4+ T cells, which are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in our immune system.

CD4+ T cells help coordinate the immune response by signaling other immune cells to attack foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. By attacking and destroying these cells, HIV weakens our immune system, making us more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

How does HIV induce self-destruction in infected cells?

Researchers have found that HIV induces a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in infected cells. Apoptosis is a natural process that occurs in our body to get rid of old or damaged cells.

Cells that undergo apoptosis essentially commit suicide, breaking themselves down into smaller pieces that can be safely absorbed by other cells and recycled by the body.

HIV hijacks the host cell’s machinery to trigger apoptosis prematurely. When HIV infects a CD4+ T cell, it activates a protein called CD95, which normally plays a role in apoptosis.

The activation of CD95 triggers a chain reaction of events that ultimately lead to the destruction of the cell. One of the key steps in this chain reaction is the activation of an enzyme called caspase-3, which is a potent driver of apoptosis.

Related Article HIV infection triggers cell suicide

The exact mechanism by which HIV activates CD95 is still under investigation, but researchers believe that it may be related to the chronic inflammation and immune activation that HIV causes in the body.

CD95 is normally expressed at low levels on the surface of CD4+ T cells, but HIV infection upregulates its expression, essentially priming the cell for self-destruction.

Why does HIV induce self-destruction in infected cells?

The exact reason why HIV induces apoptosis in infected cells is still not completely clear. However, researchers have proposed several theories:.

1. To promote viral replication

When a cell becomes infected with HIV, it activates a complex network of genes that try to fight off the virus. One of the genes that are activated is p53, which plays a major role in preventing the growth and division of cells with damaged DNA.

This can be a problem for HIV, as the virus needs actively replicating cells to produce new virus particles. By inducing apoptosis in infected cells, HIV may be getting rid of these p53-activated cells so that it can promote viral replication without interference.

2. To evade the immune system

By inducing apoptosis in infected cells, HIV may be trying to avoid detection and destruction by the host immune system. When a virus infects a cell, the cell usually tries to alert the immune system by presenting virus-derived peptides on its surface.

This is called antigen presentation and helps the immune system recognize and destroy infected cells. By inducing self-destruction in infected cells, HIV may be preventing antigen presentation and thereby avoiding detection and destruction by the immune system.

Conclusions

In conclusion, HIV has the ability to induce self-destruction in infected cells through a process called apoptosis.

This is partly due to the activation of the CD95 protein, which triggers a chain reaction of events that ultimately lead to the destruction of the cell. The exact reason why HIV induces apoptosis in infected cells is still not completely clear, but researchers have proposed several theories.

Understanding the mechanisms by which HIV destroys our immune system is crucial for developing new treatments for this deadly disease.

By targeting the pathways involved in HIV-induced apoptosis, researchers may be able to slow down or stop the progression of the disease and give infected individuals a chance at a longer and healthier life.