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Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 episomal cDNA in semen
Chong Xu1, Joseph A Politch, Kenneth H Mayer
1Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. chong.xu@bmc.org
AIDS Research and Therapy
|October 13, 2005
Summary
Episomal 2-long terminal repeat (LTR) HIV-1 cDNA is detectable in semen, even in men on antiretroviral therapy (ART). This marker may help predict drug-resistant HIV-1 evolution in the genital tract.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Episomal 2-long terminal repeat (LTR) HIV-1 cDNA is a marker for viral replication.
- Detecting 2-LTR cDNA in semen could monitor cryptic HIV-1 infection and predict drug resistance in men on antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- Previous studies failed to detect 2-LTR cDNA in semen.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine if 2-LTR cDNA is detectable in semen of ART-naïve men using an optimized DNA recovery technique.
- Compare levels of HIV-1 2-LTR cDNA, RNA, and proviral DNA in semen of HIV-1+ men on ART.
Main Methods:
- Optimized somatic cell DNA extraction technique for semen samples.
- Polymerase chain reaction/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR/ELISA) for 2-LTR cDNA detection.
- Southern blot and DNA sequencing for confirmation and quantification.
Main Results:
- 2-LTR cDNA was detected in 4 of 8 ART-naïve men with genital tract HIV-1 infection.
- Two men on ART had detectable 2-LTR cDNA in semen.
- One individual failing therapy showed elevated seminal HIV-1 RNA and 2-LTR cDNA with drug resistance mutations.
Conclusions:
- 2-LTR HIV-1 cDNA is detectable in semen of HIV-1-infected men.
- The presence of 2-LTR cDNA in semen of men on ART suggests its potential utility.
- This marker may aid in monitoring genital tract HIV-1 infection and predicting drug resistance evolution in men on ART.