title: Enhanced transcytosis of R5-tropic human immunodeficiency virus across tight monolayer of polarized human endometrial cells under pro-inflammatory conditions.
abstract: Most cases of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide occur following sexual contact, implying that the virus may breach the protective epithelial barrier lining the genital tract. HIV infection is known to preferentially occur when the genital epithelial integrity is altered, particularly when epithelial micro-ulcerations occur during heterosexual intercourse or ulcerations appear, due to sexually transmitted infections or else in the context of ectopy of the endocervical mucosa, which may leave the genital tissue. We report that R5-tropic infectious HIV-1 isolates are capable of in vitro transcytosis through a tight and polarized monolayer of human endometrial HEC-1 cells. Transcytosis of HIV particles was increased 2-fold within a pro-inflammatory micro-environment. Our findings suggest that transcytosis may be a relevant mechanism for the passage of virus through the genital mucosa in vivo, particularly when inflammatory cells and mediators are present in the vicinity of the mucosal surface.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 430, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France. marie-paule.carreno@brs.ap-hop-paris.fr
authors.forename: Marie-Paule
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carreno
authors.forename: Corrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krieff
authors.forename: Theano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Irinopoulou
authors.forename: Michel D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kazatchkine
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Belec
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal
chemical_list: D016655:HIV Core Protein p24