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Journal of Virology, June 2000, p. 5577-5586, Vol. 74, No. 12
Department of Infectious Diseases, St.
George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 ORE, United Kingdom
Received 20 March 2000/Accepted 24 March 2000
Heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is
the most frequent mode of infection worldwide. However, the immediate
events between exposure to infectious virus and establishment of
infection are still poorly understood. This study investigates
parameters of HIV infection of human female genital tissue in vitro
using an explant culture model. In particular, we investigated the role
of the epithelium and virucidal agents in protection against HIV
infection. We have demonstrated that the major target cells of
infection reside below the genital epithelium, and thus HIV must cross
this barrier to establish infection. Immune activation enhanced HIV
infection of such subepithelial cells. Furthermore, our data suggest
that genital epithelial cells were not susceptible to HIV infection,
appear to play no part in the transfer of infectious virus across
the epithelium, and thus may provide a barrier to infection.
In addition, experiments using a panel of virucidal agents demonstrated
differential efficiency to block HIV infection of subepithelial cells
from partial to complete inhibition. This is the first demonstration
that virucidal agents designed for topical vaginal use block HIV
infection of genital tissue. Such agents have major implications for
world health, as they will provide women with a mechanism of personal and covert protection from HIV infection.
0022-538X/00/$04.00+0
Copyright © 2000, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Parameters of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection of Human
Cervical Tissue and Inhibition by Vaginal Virucides
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of
Infectious Diseases, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 ORE, United Kingdom. Phone: 44 (0) 181 725 5855. Fax: 44 (0) 181 725 3487. E-mail: shattock{at}sghms.ac.uk.
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