Interactions between HIV-1 and Mucosal Cells in the Female Reproductive Tract

Academic Article

Abstract

  • 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. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
  • Digital Object Identifier (doi)

    Author List

  • Shen R; Richter HE; Smith PD
  • Start Page

  • 608
  • End Page

  • 617
  • Volume

  • 71
  • Issue

  • 6