In vitro anti-HIV-1 activity in cervicovaginal secretions from pregnant and nonpregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether cervicovaginal secretions inhibit HIV-1 infectivity in an in vitro model, and estimate concentration of immune mediators.


METHODS
We enrolled midtrimester pregnant and regularly menstruating (nonpregnant) women. Cervicovaginal lavage was collected at 2 visits and incubated with HIV-1 and TZM-bl cells. Infectivity was compared with positive controls. Concentrations of immune mediators were compared between groups.


RESULTS
At enrollment, cervicovaginal lavage inhibited IIIB virus 88.2% and 82.4%, and BaL virus 72.8% and 77.9%, among pregnant (n = 13) and nonpregnant women (n = 9), respectively. At second visit, cervicovaginal lavage inhibited IIIB 89.7% and 82.5%, and BaL 77.4% and 69.9% among pregnant (n = 15) and nonpregnant women (n = 8), respectively (all P ≤ .04). Adjusting for body mass index, race, and protein content of cervicovaginal lavage, antimicrobials were suppressed but cytokines and chemokines were not markedly different in pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervicovaginal secretions significantly suppress HIV-1 infectivity in this model. Concentrations of certain immune mediators are altered in pregnancy.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University/Women and Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
Brenna L
BL
Anderson
Mimi
M
Ghosh
Christina
C
Raker
John
J
Fahey
Yan
Y
Song
Dwight J
DJ
Rouse
Charles R
CR
Wira
Susan
S
Cu-Uvin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D044364:Vaginal Douching; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines