Robust innate immune responses at the placenta during early gestation may limit in utero HIV transmission.

ABSTRACT: In 2019, >90% of new HIV infections in infants globally occurred vertically. Studies suggest intrauterine transmission most often occurs in the third trimester; however, there are no mechanistic studies to support these observations. We therefore obtained early/mid-gestation and term placentae from 20 HIV/Hepatitis B/CMV negative women. Isolated primary placental macrophages (Hofbauer cells [HCs]) were exposed to HIV-1BaL and/or interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-β, IFN-λ1, and RIG-I-like receptor (RLR) agonists. qRT-PCR, FACS, ELISA, Luminex, and Western blot analyses determined expression of activation markers, co-receptors, viral antigen, cytokines, antiviral genes, and host proteins. Early gestation HCs express higher levels of CCR5 and exhibit a more activated phenotype. Despite downregulation o

SUBMITTER: Johnson EL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8437274 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature