HIV/AIDS

Question 1

Tat

Answer 1

trancription factor- promotes HIV viral RNA transcription when desired

Question 2

Rev

Answer 2

Transcription factor that allows viral RNA to bypass splicing for export from nucleus to create structural proteins

Question 3

Nef (numerous effector functions)

Answer 3

Key accessory protein for AIDS. No infection without it.
-increases infectivity of viral particles, downregulates MHC1, downregulates SERINC3 (cellular defense-inhibits fusion/release of virus)

Question 4

Vif (viral infectivity factor)

Answer 4

enhances viral replication in T-cells, inhibits antiviral defense (APOBEC3G- mutates virus so it degrades)

Question 5

VPU

Answer 5

promotes virus budding/release by inhibiting Tetherin (prevents release)

Question 6

HIV acute infection

Answer 6

1/3 infections

• mono-like symptoms.
• high levels viremia in blood, mononuclear cells
• Acute CD4 cell loss (still in normal range though(

Question 7

HIV Asymptomatic Period

Answer 7

Latent virus levels, low continuous proliferation in lymph nodes, CD4 killing
-Subtle immune defects (from loss of some memory CTLs), clinical latency

Question 8

HIV Late Stage

Answer 8

Lose a ton of CD4 cells, virus mutates (antigenic variation) so neutralizing antibodies dont recognize anymore (immune escape)

Question 9

Diagnosis of HIV progression (2)

Answer 9

CD4 count: gives current disease progression status

Viral count: indicates direction of virus (changes over time)