Posted by For my STEAM Project, I decided to cover the Unit 10 objectives “describe the various white blood cells and their functions” and “explain the humoral adaptive response.” From this, I am studying the infamous Human Immunodeficiency Virus and the disease it causes, the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
T-cells are special immune cells that defend against intracellular antigens, cells infected by pathogens such as viruses or bacteria, and cancerous, abnormal, or foreign cells (Unit 10, pg. 70). T-cells can directly kill cells, for example, by releasing chemicals that regulate or control the immune response (Unit 10, pg. 70). There are two types of T-cells: the CD4 cells, which mature into helper T-cells, and the CD8 cells, which mature into cytotoxic T-cells. CD4 cells can activate B-cells (B-lymphocytes), other T-cells, and macrophages. This is a direct adaptive response. CD8 cells, on the other hand, can destroy cells by releasing toxic substances (Unit 10, pg. 71). CD4 cells display a CD4 protein outside of their membrane, which serves as a tag. They are important for immune cell communication.
HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus, has two different types: HIV-1, the most common in the United States and worldwide. At the same time, HIV-2 is rarer and can typically be found in Western Africa and Southern Asia. For this reason, HIV most commonly refers to HIV-1 (CDC, 2024). HIV typically targets CD4 cells. When a body is infected, HIV attaches to the CD4 protein outside of the cell membrane and the co-receptor protein via the HIV protein called gp120. These co-receptors are present in T-cells, macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells, which are important for the virus’s success (Balasubramaniam et al., 2019). Without these proteins, the virus cannot get inside the cell. Mutations in this protein can make a body immune to the virus.
HIV is a single-stranded, positive-sense, RNA retrovirus. This means the virus injects its single-stranded RNA into the helper T cell after latching onto it. The retroviral part refers to its ability to transcribe a double-stranded, complementary DNA from its RNA using its enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Once ready, the viral DNA is then inserted into the nucleus, where the cell’s DNA lies. Inside the nucleus, the viral DNA is then inserted into the cellular DNA, in which the viral DNA becomes a part of the original cellular DNA (Balasubramaniam et al., 2019).
During an immune response, we learned from Unit 10 that CD4 controls and regulates the immune defense (Unit 10, pg. 70) through the production of proteins called cytokines. When an infected CD4 cell is activated, it tries to create proteins for immune defense through transcription and translation. However, this inadvertently creates more HIV. This replication can also lead to mutation, creating slightly different strains of the virus, depending on the person (Balasubramaniam et al., 2019). When the number of viruses increases, the number of CD4 cells drops, weakening the immune system and, thus, the body. At this point, the body has developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. Diseases and other pathogens that the body can normally defend against can now attack and damage the body. These are called opportunistic pathogens. Additionally, the development of cancer, which is normally regulated by the immune system, is left unchecked. Overall, it weakens the body to death (Simon et al., 2006).
. HIV can be transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids. This can be during pregnancy and breastfeeding (mother-to-child transmission), sexual intercourse (the most common way of transmission), and through sharing infected needles (Simon et al., 2006).
Preventative measures for mother-to-child transmission include: nevirapine dose, combination treatments, elective cesarean section, formula feeding, antiretroviral therapy during breastfeeding, and early monitoring of uninfected but exposed children. For sexual transmission, on the other hand, includes: abstinence, being faithful, use of condoms, male circumcision, antiretroviral use such as PrEP and PEP, and HSV-2 suppression (Simon et al., 2006).
There is no known cure for AIDS. However, treatment such as Antiretroviral Therapy can help slow down HIV replication. This reduces the risk of transmission and helps HIV positive individuals to live a long and happy life (Simon et al., 2006).
The process of HIV infection and the development of AIDS are very complicated matters to discuss. For this project, I made a comic using chess pieces, some clay, and other household things. The comic takes place in a fantasy medieval-like era, in which I tried to depict a concise, easy-to-understand explanation of how HIV invades our body, how it interacts with CD4 cells (primary targets), seemingly destroying the once-known champion of defense, our immune system.
The link to my comic: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_pjKwjsANPUPwC7kaWKLx3HhVdX4iHJ0/view?usp=drivesdk
REFERENCES
Balasubramaniam, M., Pandhare, J., & Dash, C. (2019). Immune Control of HIV. Journal of life sciences (Westlake Village, Calif.), 1(1), 4–37.
CDC. (2024, May 21). HIV Diagnoses, Deaths, and Prevalence. HIV Data. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv-data/nhss/hiv-diagnoses-deaths-prevalence.html
Simon, V., Ho, D. D., & Abdool Karim, Q. (2006). HIV/AIDS epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. Lancet (London, England), 368(9534), 489–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69157-5
This project explores the functions of white blood cells and the humoral adaptive immune response by discussing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A central focus is the role of CD4 T-cells, which act as critical coordinators of immune defense by activating B-cells, other T-cells, and macrophages. HIV targets these cells using glycoprotein, gp120, which binds to the CD4+ receptor and a chemokine co-receptor on the surface of host immune (Simon et al., 2006).
Once entry is achieved, HIV injects its viral RNA into the host cell and employs reverse transcriptase to convert this RNA into complementary DNA. This viral DNA is then integrated into the host genome, allowing HIV to hijack the cell’s machinery to replicate itself. This is possible because reverse transcriptase has no proofreading mechanism and is naturally prone to variation (Simon et al., 2006). As viral replication escalates, CD4 T-cell counts decline, weakening the immune system. Eventually, it progresses to AIDS, becoming susceptible to opportunistic infections and cancers typically combated by a functioning immune response. There are various methods of HIV transmission, including sexual contact, mother-to-child transmission, and needle sharing. Preventive strategies include pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), antiretroviral therapy, and safe sex practices.
Using chess pieces and clay, the comic illustrates this immunological process, employing a medieval fantasy-style narrative to reimagine the battle between HIV and the immune system. Blending science with creative storytelling to transform a biologically complex process into an engaging and digestible format for viewers of all educational backgrounds.
Simon, V., Ho, D. D., & Abdool Karim, Q. (2006). HIV/AIDS epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. The Lancet, 368(9534), 489–504. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69157-5