Mechanisms of mucosal immunity at the female reproductive tract involved in defense against HIV infection.
Curr Opin Virol
; 66: 101398, 2024 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38484474
ABSTRACT
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 remains a major global health threat. Since the virus is often transmitted through sexual intercourse and women account for the majority of new infections within the most endemic regions, research on mucosal immunity at the female reproductive tract (FRT) is of paramount importance. At the FRT, there are intrinsic barriers to HIV-1 infection, such as epithelial cells and the microbiome, and immune cells of both the innate and adaptive arms are prepared to respond in case the virus overcomes the first line of defense. In this review, we discuss recent findings on FRT mucosal mechanisms of HIV-1 defense and highlight research gaps. While defense from HIV-1 infection at the FRT has been understudied, current and future research is essential to develop new therapeutics and vaccines that can protect this unique mucosal site from HIV-1.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
HIV Infections
/
HIV-1
/
Immunity, Mucosal
/
Genitalia, Female
Limits:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Curr Opin Virol
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canadá