title: Interactions between HIV-1 and mucosal cells in the female reproductive tract.
abstract: Worldwide, the heterosexual route is the prevalent mode of HIV-1 transmission, and the female reproductive tract accounts for approximately 40% of all HIV-1 transmissions. HIV-1 infection in the female reproductive tract involves three major events: entry through the mucosal epithelium, productive infection in subepithelial mononuclear cells, and delivery to lymph nodes to initiate systemic infection. Here, we provide a focused review of the interaction between HIV-1 and mucosal epithelial cells, lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells in female genital mucosa. Increased understanding of these interactions could illuminate new approaches for interdicting HIV-1 heterosexual transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Ruizhong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Holly E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Phillip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000821:virology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology*
keywords: Dendritic cells; entry; epithelial cells; lymphocytes; macrophages; replication