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CD4 |
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CD4 A type of protein molecule in human blood that is present on the surface of 65% of human T cells. CD4 is a receptor for the HIV virus. When the HIV virus infects cells with CD4 surface proteins, it depletes the number of T cells, B cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes in the patient's blood. Most of the damage to an AIDS patient's immune system is done by the virus' destruction of CD4+ lymphocytes. CD4 is sometimes called the T4 antigen. Mentioned in: AIDS, AIDS Tests CD4, (cluster designation 4) symbol for a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of helper T lymphocytes and other immune cells. CD4 serves as a receptor for human immunodeficiency virus envelope glycoprotein gp120. Binding of the viral glycoprotein gp120 to CD4 is the first step in viral entry, leading to the fusion of viral and cell membranes. CD4 count is used as an indicator of treatment timing in HIV patients. CD4/CD8 count, the ratio of the number of helper T lymphocytes to the number of suppressor and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The cells are counted with the use of monoclonal antibodies to the surface glycoproteins CD4 on helper T cells and CD8 on suppressor and cytotoxic T cells. In healthy individuals the ratio ranges from 1.6 to 2.2. The ratio is important in monitoring the function of the immune system in patients who have viral infections or who have undergone tissue transplantation, either of which may cause an increase in the number of suppressor T cells. CD4 (T4) lymphocyte, n an immunologically important white cell that is responsible for cell-mediated immunity. It is the cell invaded by the human immunodeficiency virus and in which the virus replicates itself. CD2 cluster of differentiation or cell differentiation glycoproteins. CD antigen a group of cell surface molecules which act as markers on T lymphocytes. CD3 found on T helper (Th) and T cytotoxic (Tc) lymphocytes; associated with signal transduction. CD4 found on T helper lymphocytes; an adhesion molecule that binds to class II MHC molecules. CD8 found on T cytotoxic and variably on NK lymphocytes; an adhesion molecule that binds to class I MHC molecules. CD4 A transmembrane glycoprotein present on T helper/inducer cells, which participates in adherence of T cells to target cells, and is involved in thymic maturation and transmission of intracellular signals during T cell activation by the
class II MHC; CD4 has inducer or helper activity for T cell, B cell, and macrophage interactions, and evokes T cell proliferation in response to soluble antigens or autologous non-T cells, providing appropriate signals for B cell proliferation and
differentiation into Ig-secreting cells; CD4 is also a high-affinity receptor for HIV-1's gp120, binding 42–55 of the NH2 terminal domain amino acids, and has an Ig-like fold similar to the complementarity-determining region
of the kappa light chain; CD4 also binds Igs independently of the Fc receptor, and is an accessory to the T-cell receptor How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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PcP incidence was highest in patients with the lowest CD4 counts, but PcP is uncommon compared with incidences of pulmonary tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia. Costs among the sickest patients (those with the lowest CD4 cell counts) come to nearly triple those among individuals whose disease is least advanced. For 4 weeks, each patient received twice-daily injections of enfuviritide, which inhibits HIV from invading fresh CD4 T cells--the primary cells that HIV commandeers. |
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