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Studies on the Placental Transfer of Cell-Free Human Immunodeficiency Virus and p24 Antigen in an Ex Vivo Human Placental Model

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Abstract

Objective

We studied whether the human placenta has the structural integrity to impede transplacental passage of cell-free human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 orp24 antigen from the maternal to the fetal circulation.

Methods

Nine term human placentas from uncomplicated vaginal or cesarean section deliveries were studied ex vivo with a placental perfusion apparatus to determine whether cell-free HIV-1 at 200–2000 tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50/mL) would pass to the fetal circulation. Passage of virus or p24 was assessed by infectivity titration and/or p24 antigen capture enzyme immunoassay.

Results

Infectious HIV-1 was not detected in any of the fetal perfusate samples taken periodically during experiments. Low concentrations of HIV-1 p24 antigen, however, were detected in fetal perfusate samples from three placentas.

Conclusions

The term human placenta effectively impedes passage of cell-free HIV-1 from the maternal to the fetal circulation. However, it may be permeable to passage of p24 antigen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX, 75235-9032, USA

    R. E. Bawdon PhD, M. Gravell PhD, R. Hamilton BS, J. Sever MD, PhD, R. Miller MD & C. J. Gibbs PhD

  2. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    R. E. Bawdon PhD, M. Gravell PhD, R. Hamilton BS, J. Sever MD, PhD, R. Miller MD & C. J. Gibbs PhD

  3. Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    R. E. Bawdon PhD, M. Gravell PhD, R. Hamilton BS, J. Sever MD, PhD, R. Miller MD & C. J. Gibbs PhD

  4. National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

    R. E. Bawdon PhD, M. Gravell PhD, R. Hamilton BS, J. Sever MD, PhD, R. Miller MD & C. J. Gibbs PhD

Authors
  1. R. E. Bawdon PhD
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  2. M. Gravell PhD
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  3. R. Hamilton BS
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  4. J. Sever MD, PhD
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  5. R. Miller MD
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  6. C. J. Gibbs PhD
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Additional information

The opinions and assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the United States Navy or Department of Defense.

Supported by The American Foundation for AIDS Research Grant No. 128509–11–RGR and by intramural funding from the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health.

The skilled technical assistance of Gene M. Brashears is gratefully acknowledged.

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Bawdon, R.E., Gravell, M., Hamilton, R. et al. Studies on the Placental Transfer of Cell-Free Human Immunodeficiency Virus and p24 Antigen in an Ex Vivo Human Placental Model. Reprod. Sci. 1, 45–48 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769400100109

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/107155769400100109

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