Publication: Sperm can act as vectors for HIV-1 transmission into vaginal and cervical epithelial cells
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Issued Date
2019-07-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16000897
10467408
10467408
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85067660122
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Mahidol University
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Vol.82, No.1 (2019)
Suggested Citation
Charlene D. Young, Suriya Tatieng, Kessiri Kongmanas, Duriya Fongmoon, Brett Lomenick, Alexander J. Yoon, Wongsakorn Kiattiburut, Federica Compostella, Kym F. Faull, Nuttee Suree, Jonathan B. Angel, Nongnuj Tanphaichitr Sperm can act as vectors for HIV-1 transmission into vaginal and cervical epithelial cells. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. Vol.82, No.1 (2019). doi:10.1111/aji.13129 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/51051
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Title
Sperm can act as vectors for HIV-1 transmission into vaginal and cervical epithelial cells
Abstract
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Problem: Sperm are the major cells in semen. Human sperm possess a number of HIV-1 gp120 binding ligands including sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG). However, the mechanisms of how sperm capture HIV-1 onto their surface are unclear. Furthermore, the ability of sperm to deliver HIV-1 to vaginal/cervical epithelial cells lining the lower female reproductive tract, as a first step in HIV-1 transmission, needs to be determined. Method of study: Sperm from healthy donors were incubated with dual-tropic HIV-1CS204 (clinical isolate), and virus capture was determined by p24 antigen ELISA. The involvement of SGG in HIV-1 capture was assessed by determining Kd values of HIV-1 gp120-SGG binding as well as computational docking of SGG to the gp120 V3 loop. The ability of sperm-associated HIV-1 to infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and TZM-bl indicator cells was determined. Lastly, infection of vaginal (Vk2/E6E7), ectocervical (Ect1/E6E7), and endocervical (End1/E6E7) epithelial cells mediated by HIV-1–associated sperm was evaluated. Results: Sperm were able to capture HIV-1 in a dose-dependent manner, and the capture reached a maximum within 5 minutes. Captured HIV-1, however, could be removed from sperm by Percoll-gradient centrifugation. Affinity of gp120 for SGG was substantial, implicating sperm SGG in HIV-1 capture. Sperm-associated HIV-1 could productively infect PBMCs and TZM-bl cells, and was capable of being transmitted into vaginal/cervical epithelial cells. Conclusion: Sperm are able to capture HIV-1, which remains infectious and is able to be transmitted into vaginal/cervical epithelial cells, a result indicating the importance of sperm in HIV transmission.