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Interactions between HIV ‐1 and Mucosal Cells in the Female Reproductive Tract
Author(s) -
Shen Ruizhong,
Richter Holly E.,
Smith Phillip D.
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.12244
Subject(s) - female reproductive tract , immunology , transmission (telecommunications) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , biology , genital tract , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , mucosal immunity , epithelium , reproductive tract , mucosal immunology , virology , immune system , immunity , physiology , uterus , in vitro , endocrinology , biochemistry , genetics , electrical engineering , engineering
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.