They enable the virus to attach to helper T cells.
How does HIV replicate?
HIV is transported around in the blood until it attaches to a CD4 protein on a helper T cell.
The HIV capsid fuses with the helper T cell's membrane, enabling the viral RNA and enzymes to enter.
Reverse transcriptase copies the viral RNA into a DNA copy and moves it to the helper T cell nucleus.
mRNA is transcribed. The helper T cell creates viral proteins to make new viral particles.
What disease can HIV lead to?
AIDS (acquired autoimmune deficiency syndrome)
How does HIV leave to AIDS?
Helper T cells are destroyed when the virus replicates in them. This means the host has an inadequate immune response, which heightens the risk of infections and cancer.