HIV pushes the immune system to its limits. Our body's usual antiviral arsenal is coordinated, in part, by immune cells called Helper T cells. But HIV attacks Helper T cells directly, eventually leading to AIDS. In this animation we show the cellular and molecular mechanisms employed on both sides of the fight, and how antiretroviral drugs can help swing the balance in our favour.

Find a multimedia timeline on the history of HIV research here: https://www.nature.com/collections/mg...

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