Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the causative agent of Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a deadly disease that affects the human immune
system. HIV is a retrovirus that infects T-cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells in the
immune system, leading to their destruction and, ultimately, the onset of AIDS. The
molecular basis of HIV infection involves the interaction of the viral envelope protein
gp120 with the host cell receptor CD4 and a co-receptor such as CCR5 or CXCR4.
This binding triggers a conformational change in gp120 that exposes a fusion peptide,
allowing the viral envelope to fuse with the host cell membrane and release its contents
into the cytoplasm. Once inside the host cell, the viral genome is reverse-transcribed
into DNA, which is then integrated into the host cell genome by the viral integrase
enzyme. This allows the virus to replicate with the host cell and evade the immune
system's surveillance. Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, HIV continues to pose
a significant global health threat, with over 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS
worldwide. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HIV infection is critical for
developing effective treatments and vaccines to combat this deadly disease.
Keywords: AIDS, Antiretroviral therapy, CD4, Co-receptor, Dendritic cells, HIV, Macrophages, Retrovirus, Reverse transcription, T-cells, Viral envelope protein, Viral genome.
