Shen R, Richter HE, Smith PD. Interactions between HIV-1 and mucosal cells in the female reproductive tract.
Am J Reprod Immunol 2014;
71:608-17. [PMID:
24689653 PMCID:
PMC4073589 DOI:
10.1111/aji.12244]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, the heterosexual route is the prevalent mode of HIV-1 transmission, and the female reproductive tract accounts for approximately 40% of all HIV-1 transmissions. HIV-1 infection in the female reproductive tract involves three major events: entry through the mucosal epithelium, productive infection in subepithelial mononuclear cells, and delivery to lymph nodes to initiate systemic infection. Here, we provide a focused review of the interaction between HIV-1 and mucosal epithelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells in female genital mucosa. Increased understanding of these interactions could illuminate new approaches for interdicting HIV-1 heterosexual transmission.
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