HIV binds to CD4 receptors on T cell -> needs coreceptor CCR5 or CXCR4 to enter the cell (brings receptor closer) → membrane fusion → HIV RNA, reverse transcriptase, integrase & other viral proteins enter host cell → viral DNA formed by reverse transcription → viral DNA transported across nucleus & integrated into host DNA → new viral RNA produced (used as genomic RNA) → new viral proteins produced → moves to cell surface → forms immature HIV → virus is released → viral protease cleaves new polyproteins → creates mature infectious viru
