CD4 - The CD4 HIV relationship

Definition: CD4 is a protein that is sometimes expressed on the surface of a class of immune system cells known as T-cells. T-cells are specialized cells that recognize when other cells have been infected by viruses or other pathogens. In order to determine if a cell is infected, the CD4 positive T-cell looks to see if pathogen protein fragments are displayed on the cell's surfaces.

There are two subclasses of T-cells: CD4 cells and CD8 cells. CD8 cells are known as cytotoxic (cell toxic) T-cells because they kill infected cells directly. In contrast, CD4 cells activate other cells to fight an infection. CD4 T-cells are responsible for initiating the antibody response, and they can also tell cells known as macrophages to destroy any bacteria they are carrying.

CD4 is often referred to as a co-receptor because it works together with other receptors during the course of the immune response. It is probably one of the most well-known receptors in the body because of the CD4-HIV connection.