Premium
REVIEW ARTICLE: Antimicrobial Polypeptides are Key Anti‐HIV‐1 Effector Molecules of Cervicovaginal Host Defense
Author(s) -
Cole Alexander M.,
Cole Amy Liese
Publication year - 2008
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.1600-0897.2007.00561.x
Subject(s) - effector , innate immune system , microbicides for sexually transmitted diseases , antimicrobial , biology , antimicrobial peptides , defensin , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , beta defensin , immunity , sexual transmission , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immune system , medicine , microbicide , population , environmental health , health services
Mucosal surfaces of the cervix and vagina are portals for heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) and, therefore, play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of primary infection. Cationic antimicrobial polypeptides including defensins are the principal effector molecules of mucosal innate immunity against microbes and viruses such as HIV. In cervicovaginal secretions, antimicrobial polypeptides constitute the majority of the intrinsic anti‐HIV‐1 activity, synergism between cationic polypeptides is complex, and full anti‐HIV‐1 activity involves the complete complement of cationic polypeptides. Periods in which cationic antimicrobial polypeptide expression is reduced are likely associated with increased susceptibility to HIV‐1 infection. This review provides an overview of the role of cationic antimicrobial polypeptides in innate cervicovaginal anti‐HIV‐1 host defense, and discusses how hormones and bacterial infections can regulate their expression. Emphasis is placed on the θ‐defensin (retrocyclin) class of anti‐HIV‐1 peptides and their potential for development as topical microbicides to prevent HIV‐1 transmission.