ANTI-HIV AND -SIV IMMUNITY IN THE VAGINA

Most HIV infections worldwide are transmitted through heterosexual contact. In order to develop vaccination strategies, the basic biology of the immune system in female reproductive tract and the full range of vaginal immune responses that occur during natural HIV infection must be understood. The c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International reviews of immunology 2003, Vol.22 (1), p.65-76
Main Authors: MILLER, CHRISTOPHER J., LÜ, FABIEN X.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS Vaccines - immunology
Animals
Antibodies, Viral - metabolism
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
Female
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - metabolism
HIV - immunology
HIV Antibodies - metabolism
HIV Infections - immunology
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - transmission
Human immunodeficiency virus
Human immunodeficiency virus 1
Humans
Immunity, Mucosal
Macaca mulatta
Male
SAIDS Vaccines - immunology
Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - immunology
Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus - immunology
Vagina - immunology
Vagina - virology
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Summary:Most HIV infections worldwide are transmitted through heterosexual contact. In order to develop vaccination strategies, the basic biology of the immune system in female reproductive tract and the full range of vaginal immune responses that occur during natural HIV infection must be understood. The cervicovaginal mucosa contains a complete set of immune cells, including antigen-presenting cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and B cells. The CVS of HIV-infected women and SIV-infected female rhesus macaques contain variable levels of antiviral antibodies. Some of this variation is due to the effects of female ovarian hormone cycle. IgG antibodies make up the bulk of the antiviral antibody response. However, IgA antibodies are present at lower levels. HIV SIV-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes are present in the cervicovaginal mucosa of infected women and rhesus macaques. A vaccine that can elicit strong antiviral immunity may provide protection for hetorosexual HIV-1 transmission.
ISSN:0883-0185
1563-5244
DOI:10.1080/08830180305230