Viral entry and exit are critical stages in the viral life cycle, where a virus infiltrates a host cell to replicate and subsequently exits to infect new cells. Understanding these processes is essential for developing antiviral therapies and vaccines, as they involve specific interactions between viral proteins and host cell receptors, as well as mechanisms like endocytosis and budding.
The HIV replication cycle involves the virus entering a host cell, reverse transcribing its RNA into DNA, integrating into the host genome, and using the host's cellular machinery to produce new viral particles. This cycle is crucial for the propagation of the virus and is targeted by antiretroviral therapies to prevent the spread of HIV within the body.