Which of the following are a common result of mutations in HIV?
A inability to bind the CD4 receptor
B changes in cell tropism
C death of the virus
D none of the answers are correct
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) changes in cell tropism.
Mutations in the HIV virus often lead to various adaptations that enable the virus to survive and proliferate in different host environments. One of the most significant results of mutations is changes in cell tropism, which refers to the virus’s ability to infect different types of cells. HIV primarily infects CD4+ T cells, but over time, mutations can cause the virus to alter its preference for particular co-receptors like CCR5 or CXCR4, which are necessary for the virus to enter host cells. This shift can allow the virus to infect other immune cells, such as macrophages or dendritic cells, broadening the range of cells the virus can target and leading to more complicated infections.
Inability to bind the CD4 receptor is not a common result of mutations. On the contrary, HIV’s ability to bind to the CD4 receptor is crucial for the virus to enter host cells. While mutations in the virus may occasionally affect this binding, they are more likely to result in changes in co-receptor usage rather than an inability to bind CD4 itself. A mutation that completely prevents binding to the CD4 receptor would likely render the virus non-infectious.
Death of the virus is not a typical result of mutations either. Mutations in the HIV genome usually make the virus more adaptable or resistant to immune responses and treatments, rather than killing it. Some mutations may cause the virus to become resistant to antiretroviral drugs, allowing it to persist and replicate more effectively in the host.
In conclusion, B) changes in cell tropism is the most common and significant outcome of mutations in HIV, contributing to the virus’s ability to infect a broader range of cells and enhance its persistence within the host.