Final answer:
The HIV virus targets helper T cells (CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells in the human immune system. It is especially detrimental to CD4+ T cells, which it destroys, leading to a weakened immune response. The virus's rapid mutation further complicates vaccine development and disease management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The HIV virus primarily invades and reproduces within helper T cells, also known as CD4+ T cells. These cells are a crucial part of the human immune system. The mechanism of infection starts with the virus attaching itself to the CD4 receptor on the cell surface, followed by the integration of the viral DNA into the host's genome, effectively hijacking the cell's machinery to produce more viruses. The infected T cells are eventually destroyed by HIV, leading to significant depletion of the immune system's capability to fight other infections. Furthermore, the ability of HIV to mutate rapidly allows it to evade the immune response, making the development of effective vaccines challenging.
HIV also targets and invades macrophages and dendritic cells, but the destruction of CD4+ T cells is a primary reason for the progression of HIV infection to AIDS. The extensive period during which HIV can go unrecognized within the body, along with its rapid mutation rate, contributes to the difficulty in managing the infection.