Hosts

 

Upon transmission of the HIV virus, the virus infects the CD4+T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells within the human body.  Although HIV's infection of Helper T cells is more widely known, the virus's first target is usually the macrophages, because they are larger, more readily available, and better able to faciliate HIV's replication.

 

CD4+ T Cells

 

CD4+ T Cells, also know as the lymphocytes or Helper T cells, are a type of white blood cell that play a major role in the adaptive immune system of the human body. T-helper cells activate B Cells that secrete antibodies, activate macrophages to ingest certain microbes, and activate cytotoxic T cells (Killer T cells) to kill infected cells (Albert 2002).

 

Macrophages

 

Macrophages are a family of white blood cells that are strategically appointed to specific parts of the human body; where their purpose within the Human body are to be the main and first line of defense in innate and adaptive immunity. The Macrophages are strategically appointed within certain points in the body, where their roles are to scavenge out dead cell membranes, remove foreign substances, remove foreign debris, wound healing, reducing inflammation, muscle regeneration, inhibition of inflammation and even limb regeneration. Many of these macrophage types and locations are listed in the table.