What are CD4 Cells?
T-cells are specialized white blood cells that play an important role in the body’s immune system. Parts of Our Immune System There are two primary types of T-cells. • CD4 Cells – These cells have molecules called CD4 on its surface. These “helper” cells initiate the body’s response to invading micro-organisms such as viruses. • CD8 Cells – These types of T-cells have a molecule called CD8 on their surface. CD8 cells destroy cells that have been infected with foreign invading micro-organisms. CD8 cells also produce antiviral substances (antibodies) that help fight off the foreign invader. Understanding the Immune Response CD4 Cells – The Key to HIV Replication HIV is a retrovirus, meaning it needs cells from a “host” in order to make more copies of itself (replication). In the case of HIV, CD4 cells are the host cells that aid HIV in replica
