How does the immune system recognize HIV infected cells?
In order to infect host cells HIV must first bind to a cell surface receptor (a CD4 antigen), and a co-receptor (CCR5) found on cells that present antigen material on the surface of some immune cells: • macrophages (immune cells that process and present or display antigen material) • dendritic cells (a specialized immune cell). Presentation or display of foreign antigen material allows other immune cells the opportunity to recognize that there is a threat to the host – much like a hunter displays trophies over the fireplace. The trophies are recognized by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes so that they can be targeted and destroyed by other immune cells. The situation is ironic considering that the whole purpose of the immune system is to protect us against just such threats! document.getElementById(‘adsense_placeholder_2’).innerHTML = document.getElementById(‘adsense_ad_2_hidden’).innerHTML; Trophies presented on the cell surface allow detection of foreign antigen material so that infected and d
