Cole Alexander M, Cole Amy Liese
Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA.
Am J Reprod Immunol. 2008 Jan;59(1):27-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00561.x.
Mucosal surfaces of the cervix and vagina are portals for heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and, therefore, play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of primary infection. Cationic antimicrobial polypeptides including defensins are the principal effector molecules of mucosal innate immunity against microbes and viruses such as HIV. In cervicovaginal secretions, antimicrobial polypeptides constitute the majority of the intrinsic anti-HIV-1 activity, synergism between cationic polypeptides is complex, and full anti-HIV-1 activity involves the complete complement of cationic polypeptides. Periods in which cationic antimicrobial polypeptide expression is reduced are likely associated with increased susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. This review provides an overview of the role of cationic antimicrobial polypeptides in innate cervicovaginal anti-HIV-1 host defense, and discusses how hormones and bacterial infections can regulate their expression. Emphasis is placed on the theta-defensin (retrocyclin) class of anti-HIV-1 peptides and their potential for development as topical microbicides to prevent HIV-1 transmission.
子宫颈和阴道的黏膜表面是人类免疫缺陷病毒1型（HIV-1）异性传播的门户，因此在原发性感染的发病机制中起着重要作用。包括防御素在内的阳离子抗菌多肽是黏膜针对微生物和病毒（如HIV）的先天性免疫的主要效应分子。在宫颈阴道分泌物中，抗菌多肽构成了内在抗HIV-1活性的大部分，阳离子多肽之间的协同作用很复杂，并且完全的抗HIV-1活性涉及阳离子多肽的完整组合。阳离子抗菌多肽表达降低的时期可能与对HIV-1感染的易感性增加有关。本综述概述了阳离子抗菌多肽在宫颈阴道先天性抗HIV-1宿主防御中的作用，并讨论了激素和细菌感染如何调节它们的表达。重点关注抗HIV-1肽的θ-防御素（反转录环素）类别及其作为局部杀菌剂预防HIV-1传播的开发潜力。
