We are interested in this immune response because it is the one that is most disrupted by HIV infection of the T-cells. As HIV succeeds in destroying more and more of these important cells, the ability to fight off some other infections gradually declines. Let's look first at how the immune response coordinated by the T-cell is supposed to work. Please keep in mind that we will be explaining only one of our body's immune responses. This may happen very soon after infection, or it may not happen until the invader has found a niche and begun to replicate.
Antigens are proteins specific to each particular microorganism.
This message activates T-helpers and triggers the immune response. The antibody is a protein that will bind with an antigen. We produce antibodies because, given the high concentration of infectious agent that is needed to cause disease, our macrophages could not go after the invaders alone. However, antibodies will outnumber the invaders and will effectively help us get rid of them. Eventually, as this process continues, the number of infectious agents will decrease and we will need to stop the battle.