How does AIDS Interferes with normal response?
In AIDS, this procedure does not work adequately. Initially, macrophages recognize HIV, T-helper cells initiate the response, and B-cells produce antibodies. However, although effective at first, the antibodies do not eliminate the infection. Although some HIV might get killed, many more viruses will actively infect T-helper cells, the very same cells that are supposed to coordinate the defense against the virus. Infected T-cells become virus factories which, if activated, will produce virus instead of triggering the production of more antibodies against it. Besides T-cells, HIV is capable of infecting other cells (macrophages, B-cells, monocytes) and crossing the brain-blood barrier, infecting nervous system cells. Most immune cells cannot cross that barrier, which surrounds the brain and spinal cord, so HIV can retreat where the immune system cannot follow.
