Blocking HIV-1 Infection by Chromosomal Integrative Expression of Human CD4 on the Surface of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356

In the absence of an effective vaccine, alternative approaches to block HIV-1 infection and transmission with commensal bacteria expressing antiviral proteins are being considered. This report provides a proof-of-concept by usingLactobacillus bacteria stably expressing the HIV-1 receptor CD4 to capture and neutralize HIV-1in vitro and in a humanized mouse model. The stable expression of antiviral proteins, such as CD4, following genomic integration of the corresponding genes into thisLactobacillus strain may contribute to the prevention of HIV-1 sexual transmission.