Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Duration of Initial Viremia Modulates Functional Properties of HIV-specific T Cell Receptors.

Research square·2026
Same author

Early Viral Dynamics Predict Human Immunodeficiency Virus Posttreatment Control After Analytic Treatment Interruption.

The Journal of infectious diseases·2024
Same author

Regulation of the cell surface expression of classical and non-classical MHC proteins by the human cytomegalovirus UL40 and rhesus cytomegalovirus Rh67 proteins.

Journal of virology·2024
Same author

Prediction of differential Gag versus Env responses to a mosaic HIV-1 vaccine regimen by HLA class I alleles.

Journal of virology·2024
Same author

Mastery of assistive technology: What is it? How do we measure it?

Assistive technology : the official journal of RESNA·2024
Same author

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies Reveals Genetic Mechanisms of Supraventricular Arrhythmias.

Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine·2024
Same journal

The Biology of Malaria Parasite Liver Infection.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

The Interaction between Diabetes Mellitus and Tuberculosis: Epidemiology, Screening, and Clinical Management.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

New Malaria Prevention Modalities: Long-Acting Interventions Beyond Vaccines.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

From Parasite to Pill: Harnessing Biology for Breakthroughs in Antimalarial Drug Discovery.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

Malaria Parasite Genomics: Decentralization, Diversification, and Development Goals.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
Same journal

Tuberculosis Infection: Diagnosis and Management.

Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
09:26

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function

Published on: October 15, 2013

The T-cell response to HIV.

Bruce Walker1, Andrew McMichael

  • 1Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard Mass General Hospital-East, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA. bwalker@partners.org

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|September 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) primarily targets and destroys CD4(+) T cells, crucial components of the immune system. This rapid depletion of immune cells during acute infection leads to a lifelong battle against the virus.

More Related Videos

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays
12:07

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays

Published on: March 14, 2011

The Use of Fluorescent Target Arrays for Assessment of T Cell Responses In vivo
12:09

The Use of Fluorescent Target Arrays for Assessment of T Cell Responses In vivo

Published on: June 19, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function
09:26

In Vitro Assay to Evaluate the Impact of Immunoregulatory Pathways on HIV-specific CD4 T Cell Effector Function

Published on: October 15, 2013

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays
12:07

Preparation and Use of HIV-1 Infected Primary CD4+ T-Cells as Target Cells in Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxic Assays

Published on: March 14, 2011

The Use of Fluorescent Target Arrays for Assessment of T Cell Responses In vivo
12:09

The Use of Fluorescent Target Arrays for Assessment of T Cell Responses In vivo

Published on: June 19, 2014

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Severe opportunistic infections in early HIV/AIDS cases indicated immune system compromise.
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is recognized as a primary infection of the immune system.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the fundamental pathology of HIV infection.
  • To understand the impact of HIV on immune cells and host defense.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical observation of opportunistic infections.
  • Analysis of immune cell populations, specifically CD4(+) T cells.

Main Results:

  • HIV infection directly targets and depletes CD4(+) T cells.
  • Significant depletion of gut-associated CD4(+) T cells occurs during acute HIV infection.
  • The immune system is profoundly weakened immediately following infection.

Conclusions:

  • HIV's primary mechanism involves the destruction of CD4(+) T cells, crippling adaptive immunity.
  • The immediate and severe immune defect facilitates a persistent, lifelong infection.
  • Understanding this pathology is key to managing HIV/AIDS.