Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026
Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
Use of human mucosal tissue to study HIV-1 pathogenesis and evaluate HIV-1 prevention modalities
Charlene S Dezzutti1, Florian Hladik
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Rm 503B, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. cdezzutti@mwri.magee.edu
Abstract:
The use of human mucosal tissue models is an important tool advancing our understanding of the specific mechanisms of sexual HIV transmission. Despite 30 years of study, major gaps remain, including how HIV-1 transverses the epithelium and the identity of the early immune targets (gate keepers). Because defining HIV-1 transmission in vivo is difficult, mucosal tissue is being used ex vivo to identify key steps in HIV-1 entry and early dissemination. Elucidating early events of HIV-1 infection will help us develop more potent and specific HIV-1 preventatives such as microbicides and vaccines. Mucosal tissue has been incorporated into testing regimens for antiretroviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies. The use of mucosal tissue recapitulates the epithelium and immune cells that would be exposed in vivo to virus and drug. This review will discuss the use of mucosal tissue to better understand HIV-1 pathogenesis and prevention modalities.
