title: The Role of Cationic Polypeptides in Modulating HIV-1 Infection of the Cervicovaginal Mucosa.
abstract: The mucosa and overlying fluid of the female reproductive tract (FRT) are portals for the heterosexual transmission of HIV-1. Toward the ongoing development of topically applied microbicides and mucosal vaccines against HIV-1, it is evermore important to understand how the dynamic FRT mucosa is involved in controlling transmission and infection of HIV-1. Cationic peptides and proteins are the principal innate immune effector molecules of mucosal surfaces, and interact in a combinatorial fashion to modulate HIV-1 infection of the cervix and vagina. While cationic peptides and proteins have historically been categorized as antimicrobial or have other host-benefitting roles, an increasing number of these molecules have been found to augment HIV-1 infection and potentially antagonize host defense. Complex environmental factors such as hormonal fluctuations and/or bacterial and viral co-infections provide additional challenges to both experimentation and interpretation of results. In the context of heterosexual transmission of HIV-1, this review explores how various cationic peptides and proteins participate in modulating host defense against HIV-1 of the cervicovaginal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 4110 Libra Drive Building 20, Room 236, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
authors.forename: Amy Liese
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 4110 Libra Drive Building 20, Room 236, Orlando, FL 32816, USA. acole@ucf.edu.
authors.forename: Alexander M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cole
keywords: HIV-1; antimicrobial; cationic; cervix; mucosa; peptide; protein; vagina