[HTML][HTML] Human cervicovaginal mucus contains an activity that hinders HIV-1 movement

SA Shukair, SA Allen, GC Cianci, DJ Stieh… - Mucosal …, 2013 - nature.com
SA Shukair, SA Allen, GC Cianci, DJ Stieh, MR Anderson, SM Baig, CJ Gioia, EJ Spongberg…
Mucosal immunology, 2013nature.com
Cervical and vaginal epithelia are primary barriers against HIV type I (HIV-1) entry during
male-to-female transmission. Cervical mucus (CM) is produced by the endocervix and forms
a layer locally as well as in the vaginal compartment in the form of cervicovaginal mucus
(CVM). To study the potential barrier function of each mucus type during HIV-1 transmission,
we quantified HIV-1 mobility in CM and CVM ex vivo using fluorescent microscopy. Virions
and 200-nm PEGylated beads were digitally tracked and mean-squared displacement was …
Abstract
Cervical and vaginal epithelia are primary barriers against HIV type I (HIV-1) entry during male-to-female transmission. Cervical mucus (CM) is produced by the endocervix and forms a layer locally as well as in the vaginal compartment in the form of cervicovaginal mucus (CVM). To study the potential barrier function of each mucus type during HIV-1 transmission, we quantified HIV-1 mobility in CM and CVM ex vivo using fluorescent microscopy. Virions and 200-nm PEGylated beads were digitally tracked and mean-squared displacement was calculated. The mobility of beads increased significantly in CVM compared with CM, consistent with the known decreased mucin concentration of CVM. Unexpectedly, HIV-1 diffusion was significantly hindered in the same CVM samples in which bead diffusion was unhindered. Inhibition of virus transport was envelope-independent. Our results reveal a previously unknown activity in CVM that is capable of impeding HIV-1 mobility to enhance mucosal barrier function.
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