Tenofovir Inhibits Wound Healing of Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts from the Upper and Lower Human Female Reproductive Tract.

ABSTRACT: Disruption of the epithelium in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is hypothesized to increase HIV infection risk by interfering with barrier protection and facilitating HIV-target cell recruitment. Here we determined whether Tenofovir (TFV), used vaginally in HIV prevention trials, and Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), an improved prodrug of TFV, interfere with wound healing in the human FRT. TFV treatment of primary epithelial cells and fibroblasts from the endometrium (EM), endocervix (CX) and ectocervix (ECX) significantly delayed wound closure. Reestablishment of tight junctions was compromised in EM and CX epithelial cells even after wound closure occurred. In contrast, TAF had no inhibitory effect on wound closure or tight junction formation following injury. TAF accumulated inside geni

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Garcia M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5377941 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature