Title

Antimicrobial Polypeptides Are Key Anti-Hiv-1 Effector Molecules Of Cervicovaginal Host Defense

Keywords

AIDS; Defensin; Innate immunity; Mucosa; Retrocyclin; Vagina

Abstract

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. © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Munksgaard.

Publication Date

1-1-2008

Publication Title

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

Volume

59

Issue

1

Number of Pages

https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/2496;Submitted Version;Author's Homepage; Named Repository (arXiv, AgEcon, PhilPapers, PubMed Central, SSRN, RePEc); Non-Commercial Institutional Repository;No Embargo;;;Must acknowledge acceptance for publication; May not be updated with Publisher's Version/PDF; Publisher source must be acknowledged with citation; Must link to publisher version with set statement (see policy)-

Document Type

Review

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00561.x

Socpus ID

37349024256 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/37349024256

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