title: Selective transmigration of monocyte-associated HIV-1 across a human cervical monolayer and its modulation by seminal plasma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyse the transmigration of immune cells infected by HIV-1 across the epithelial monolayer using the endometrial human endometrial carcinoma (HEC)-1A cell line and to study the influence of seminal plasma in this process.
  
  
  METHODS
  After sexual intercourse involving a male partner infected by HIV-1, a selection process has been shown to lead to a predominant transmission of the R5 phenotype despite the presence of X4 and R5 strains in semen. Transmigration of HIV-infected monocytes present in semen may represent a pertinent mechanism that could explain this tropism selection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epithelial monolayer crossing was studied by using HEC-1A epithelial cells cultured on permeable support and monocyte-enriched or lymphocyte-enriched populations of cells infected or not by HIV R5 or X4 strains. Transmigrating cells were quantified and analysed for their ability to transmit HIV infection to immune target cells. The effect of HIV-negative seminal plasma on cell transmigration was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A preferential passage of the R5 strain associated with monocyte-enriched populations was observed together with the ability of this strain to transmit infection. Seminal plasma was found able to decrease the epithelial crossing of immune cells by enhancing transepithelial resistance and by increasing the adherence of immune cells to the monolayer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preferential transmigration of HIV R5 strains associated with monocytes across the endocervical monolayer may explain the predominant transmission of the R5 strains after sexual intercourse. By its capacity to modulate the tightness of the epithelial structure, seminal plasma reinforces this selection process.
authors.affiliation: Groupe Immunité des Muqueuses et Agents Pathogènes, PRES de Lyon, Université Jean Monnet, IFRESIS et CHU de Saint-Etienne, France.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Portran
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Terrasse
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palle
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olivier
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fantini
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourlet
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pozzetto
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Delezay
mesh_terms: D002465:Cell Movement; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*; D003075:Coitus; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology*; D012661:Semen / Q000821:virology; D057705:Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured