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The Role of Mannose Receptor on HIV‐1 Entry into Human Spermatozoa
Author(s) -
CardonaMaya Wálter,
LópezHerrera Albeiro,
VelillaHernández Paula,
Rugeles María T.,
Cadavid Ángela P.
Publication year - 2006
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/j.1600-0897.2005.00340.x
Subject(s) - mannose receptor , receptor , biology , co receptor , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , sperm , mannose , microbiology and biotechnology , virology , virus , sexual transmission , cxcr4 , immunology , in vitro , genetics , biochemistry , macrophage , chemokine , microbicide
In this opinion article we consider the possibility that human spermatozoa have receptors for human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1). It is clear that sperm cells have the potential for transmitting HIV‐1, but the mechanisms responsible for spreading or the virus by this vector are not known. In contrast to the traditional HIV‐1 target cells, spermatozoa do not express CD4 receptors or the CCR5/CXCR4 co‐receptors. Recent evidence indicates that astrocytes, which also do not express these molecules, can be infected with HIV‐1 through the mannose receptor. Furthermore, a 160‐kDa sperm receptor that interacts with the HIV gp 120 has been described. Therefore, we hypothesize that the mannose receptor, of 165–175 kDa, is the receptor that HIV‐1 uses to invade spermatozoa, which could lead to both vertical and horizontal transmission of HIV‐1.