Visualization of X4- and R5-Tropic HIV-1 Viruses Expressing Fluorescent Proteins in Human Endometrial Cells: Application to Tropism Study.

Worldwide most HIV infections occur through heterosexual transmission, involving complex interactions of cell-free and cell-associated particles with cells of the female genital tract mucosa. The ability of HIV-1 to "infect" epithelial cells remains poorly understood. To address this question, replicative-competent chimeric constructs expressing fluorescent proteins and harboring the envelope of X4- or R5-tropic HIV-1 strains were used to "infect" endometrial HEC1-A cells.

Persistent But Not Replicating HIV-1 Cell-Associated DNA in Semen of Long-Term ART Experienced Men.

Background: The semen of HIV-1 infected men represents the main vector of HIV-1 spread following sexual transmission of cell-free or cell-associated virions.

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the impact of HAART on HIV-1 RNA/DNA and on inflammatory environment in the semen of long-term HAART-experienced men.

Methods: Forty-five paired samples of semen and blood were obtained from 37 consenting men, 10 untreated and 27 under HAART.

Selective transmigration of monocyte-associated HIV-1 across a human cervical monolayer and its modulation by seminal plasma.

Objective: To analyse the transmigration of immune cells infected by HIV-1 across the epithelial monolayer using the endometrial human endometrial carcinoma (HEC)-1A cell line and to study the influence of seminal plasma in this process.

Design: After sexual intercourse involving a male partner infected by HIV-1, a selection process has been shown to lead to a predominant transmission of the R5 phenotype despite the presence of X4 and R5 strains in semen. Transmigration of HIV-infected monocytes present in semen may represent a pertinent mechanism that could explain this tropism selection.