Selective destruction of Th cells by HIV contributes to immune suppression by which means?

Selective destruction of Th cells by HIV contributes to immune suppression by which means?

• A. Decrease in IL-1
• B. Decrease in IL-2
• C. Decrease in IL-8
• D. Decrease in IL-10

Answer: (B)

HIV causes immune suppression mainly by reducing the amount of IL-2, the growth factor produced by activated CD4+ T helper cells. IL-2 drives the proliferation and activation of T cells (both helper and cytotoxic), as well as supporting natural killer cell activity. When HIV depletes CD4+ T cells, IL-2 production drops, leading to impaired T-cell expansion and a weaker overall immune response. The other cytokines listed have important roles in inflammation or anti-inflammatory regulation, but they are not the primary drivers of the T-cell–mediated immune suppression caused by HIV.

HIV causes immune suppression mainly by reducing the amount of IL-2, the growth factor produced by activated CD4+ T helper cells. IL-2 drives the proliferation and activation of T cells (both helper and cytotoxic), as well as supporting natural killer cell activity. When HIV depletes CD4+ T cells, IL-2 production drops, leading to impaired T-cell expansion and a weaker overall immune response. The other cytokines listed have important roles in inflammation or anti-inflammatory regulation, but they are not the primary drivers of the T-cell–mediated immune suppression caused by HIV.