What cellular component is depleted by HIV infection?

The depletion of Helper T cells, specifically CD4+ T cells, is a hallmark of HIV infection. These cells play a critical role in the immune system by coordinating the immune response. They are essential for signaling other immune cells, including B cells and cytotoxic T cells, to recognize and fight off infections.

HIV targets these CD4+ T cells and utilizes them to replicate itself. As the virus destroys these cells, the immune system becomes increasingly compromised, leading to the characteristic immunodeficiency associated with HIV. This depletion makes individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections and certain cancers, as their bodies are unable to mount an effective immune response.

In contrast, while other cell types mentioned are involved in various functions in the immune and circulatory systems, they are not specifically targeted and depleted by HIV in the same manner as Helper T cells. Red blood cells, B cells, and platelets have different roles and are not directly affected or significantly depleted in the context of HIV infection, which primarily focuses on impacting CD4+ T cells.