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Updated: Jun 11, 2026
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Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
Herpes simplex virus type 2 enhances HIV-1 susceptibility by affecting Langerhans cell function
Marein A W P de Jong1, Lot de Witte, Maureen E Taylor
1Center of Infection and Immunity Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|July 2, 2010
Summary
Genital herpes (HSV-2) increases HIV susceptibility by disrupting Langerhans cells
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Genital herpes, caused by HSV-2, is a prevalent viral STI.
- HSV-2 infection heightens susceptibility to HIV-1, even asymptomatically.
- Langerhans cells (LCs) are crucial in preventing heterosexual HIV-1 transmission via langerin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how HSV-2 affects HIV-1 transmission mediated by mucosal LCs.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which HSV-2 compromises LC antiviral defenses.
Main Methods:
- Investigated HSV-2's impact on HIV-1 capture and infection of LCs.
- Assessed langerin expression and binding competition with HIV-1.
- Utilized UV-inactivated HSV-2 and a TLR-3 agonist to examine HSV-2 replication independence.
Main Results:
- HSV-2 enhances HIV-1 infection of LCs and subsequent transmission to T cells.
- HSV-2 disrupts HIV-1 capture by inhibiting langerin expression and competing for binding.
- This impairment of langerin's antiviral function by HSV-2 is independent of viral replication.
Conclusions:
- HSV-2 compromises the protective role of LCs by abrogating langerin function, increasing HIV-1 susceptibility.
- Viral coinfections like HSV-2 breach mucosal barriers, highlighting the importance of STI prevention for reducing HIV-1 transmission.
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