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HIV Pathogenesis in the Human Female Reproductive Tract

  • HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (AL Landay and NS Utay, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Women remain disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The primary mechanism for HIV acquisition in women is sexual transmission, yet the immunobiological factors that contribute to HIV susceptibility remain poorly characterized. Here, we review current knowledge on HIV pathogenesis in women, focusing on infection and immune responses in the female reproductive tract (FRT).

Recent Findings

We describe recent findings on innate immune protection and HIV target cell distribution in the FRT. We also review multiple factors that modify susceptibility to infection, including sex hormones, microbiome, trauma, and how HIV risk changes during women’s life cycle. Finally, we review current strategies for HIV prevention and identify barriers for research in HIV infection and pathogenesis in women.

Summary

A complex network of interrelated biological and sociocultural factors contributes to HIV risk in women and impairs prevention and cure strategies. Understanding how HIV establishes infection in the FRT can provide clues to develop novel interventions to prevent HIV acquisition in women.

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Funding

R01 AI154518-01 (Ghosh), R21 AI145654-01A1 (Ghosh), R01 AG060801 (Rodriguez Garcia)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA, 02111, USA

    Marta Rodriguez-Garcia

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 130 De Soto Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Kaleigh Connors

  3. Department of Epidemiology, Milken Institute School of Public Health and Health Services, The George Washington University, 800 22nd St NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA

    Mimi Ghosh

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  1. Marta Rodriguez-Garcia
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  3. Mimi Ghosh
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Correspondence to Mimi Ghosh.

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Rodriguez-Garcia, M., Connors, K. & Ghosh, M. HIV Pathogenesis in the Human Female Reproductive Tract. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 18, 139–156 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-021-00546-1

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