HIV lifecycle

Watch or download our animation on how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replicates inside white blood cells.

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HIV replicates inside white blood cells called CD4+ T cells. Here, viral DNA integrates with human DNA and acts as a template for the production of more viral RNA and proteins. These are assembled into new viruses, which are released and go on to infect other cells.

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This animation is © The Wellcome Trust. It is freely available for private and educational use. For commercial use, please contact Wellcome Images: images@wellcome.ac.uk.