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Characterization of immune cells and infection by HIV in human ovarian tissues
Author(s) -
Shen Zheng,
RodriguezGarcia Marta,
Ochsenbauer Christina,
Wira Charles R.
Publication year - 2017
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.12687
Subject(s) - immune system , biology , flow cytometry , ovary , immunology , virology , simian immunodeficiency virus , endocrinology
Problem New HIV infections in women are predominantly spread through sexual intercourse. Recent non‐human primate studies demonstrated that simian immunodeficiency virus ( SIV ) deposited in the vagina infected immune cells in the ovary. Whether immune cells in the human ovary are susceptible to HIV infection is unknown. Method of study Immune cells were isolated from ovaries and characterized by flow cytometry. Cells were exposed to HIV for 2 hours. HIV infection was measured by flow cytometry and p24 secretion following 6 days in culture. Results CD 4 + T cells and CD 14 + cells are present in the ovary and susceptible to infection by HIV ‐BaL. Among the CD 45 + cells present, 30% were CD 3 + T cells (with similar proportions of CD 4 + or CD 8 + T cells), and 7%‐10% were CD 14 + cells. Both CD 4 + T cells and CD 14 + cells were productively infected and supported replication. Conclusion Immune cells in the ovary are potential targets for HIV infection.