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The Role of Serpin and Cystatin Antiproteases in Mucosal Innate Immunity and their Defense against HIV
Author(s) -
Aboud Lindsay,
Ball Terry Blake,
Tjernlund Annelie,
Burgener Adam
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12166
Subject(s) - serpin , innate immune system , immunology , immunity , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , proteases , medicine , biology , immune system , enzyme , biochemistry , gene
Antiproteases play diverse roles in nature, from regulating protease activity to innate defense against microorganisms. Recently, antiproteases have been shown to play important roles in HIV pathogenesis including, inhibiting HIV binding and replication and reducing activation and inflammation of susceptible cells. They have also been implicated as one of the initial host responders, in plasma, to control replication of HIV . More recently, antiproteases expressed at the mucosal surface have been linked to reduced susceptibility to HIV infection in HIV ‐exposed sero‐negative individuals. These factors are expressed in the epithelial layer of the female genital tract, thus at the frontline of defense against mucosal infection. This review focuses on the specific antimicrobial roles of antiproteases, focusing on serpins and cystatins, with an emphasis on their known and potential roles in HIV infection. Their potential as therapeutic interventions to combat HIV is also discussed.