Question

Consider how HIV infects cells and reproduces. Also consider how the immune system fights HIV infection. Humans differ by having mutations that result in slightly different proteins and immune function. Suggest as many hypotheses as possible to explain why some individuals might be protected against HIV infection. In other words, where and how might new viral infections be stopped? What could be different about the people who seem protected against HIV that caused viral replication to stop? Come up with at least three possibilities.

Answer 1

There are several reasons as to which a person might be not infected to hiv. These could be mentioned as follows:

• Antibodies, for some people are extremely potent. As a result of this, at the time of a se-xual inter course, the protein gp120 will be blocking infections. It works as a microbicide.
• In some of the long term HIV survivors, there have been presence of catalytic ntibodies, that allow a person to survive for a longer time.
• Some people gain resistance as a result of mutations present in the co-receptors of hiv.
• Even when some people get the infection, some individuals would be able to mount an immune response against the virus so that it is cleared.