The Role of Cationic Polypeptides in Modulating HIV-1 Infection of the Cervicovaginal Mucosa

Antibiotics

Amy Liese Cole²  Alexander M. Cole¹ 

[1] Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, 4110 Libra Drive Building 20, Room 236, Orlando, FL 32816, USA; E-Mail

关键词: HIV-1;    cationic;    antimicrobial;    peptide;    protein;    cervix;    vagina;    mucosa;   

DOI  :  10.3390/antibiotics3040677

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.