PRJNA430827
Anti-HIV-1 activity of lactic acid in human cervicovaginal fluid
Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lactic acid is a major organic acid metabolite produced by lactobacilli, which acidifies the vagina and in vitro has been reported to have inhibitory activity against HIV; however, in vivo in the vaginal lumen of women colonized with Lactobacillus spp., its anti-HIV properties remains to be established. Our study, using native cervicovaginal fluid from women, led to the finding that potent and irreversible anti-HIV-1 activity tightly correlates with the presence of the protonated (acidic, uncharged) form of lactic acid, but not the lactate anion. This work advances our understanding of mechanisms by which vaginal microbiota modulate HIV susceptibility and could lead to novel strategies to prevent women from acquiring HIV or transmitting the virus during vaginal intercourse and vaginal birth.