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Updated: Nov 30, 2025
Ex Vivo Infection of Human Lymphoid Tissue and Female Genital Mucosa with Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 and Histoculture
Published on: October 12, 2018
The comparative inhibitory potency of salivary mucins against human immunodeficiency virus type 1
Isla K McQuaid1, Jeffrey R Dorfman2, Anwar S Mall1
1Division of General Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
Abstract:
MUC5B and MUC7 salivary mucins are reported to inhibit HIV-1 entry into target cells in vitro; however, their relative inhibitory potencies have not been quantitively compared. There is also conflicting evidence regarding whether HIV-1 infection diminishes mucins' inhibitory efficacy. We explored the effect of donor HIV-1 status upon the anti-HIV-1 potency of purified MUC5B and MUC7 while comparing their relative inhibitory potential using a pseudovirus-based neutralization assay. HIV status of sample donors had no detectable effect on HIV-1 inhibition by salivary mucins. MUC5B (median IC50 50 μg/ml, IQR 10-116 μg/ml) exhibited significantly more potent HIV-1 inhibition than MUC7 (median IC50 458 μg/ml, IQR 192->2000 μg/ml; Mann-Whitney U p < 0.0001). We suggest that larger size, gel-forming properties and extensive glycosylation of MUC5B allow more effective binding and aggregation of viral particles. MUC5B is also more abundant in the saliva and is therefore likely to make a substantially greater contribution to it's anti-HIV-1 properties.
Insights
Mucus proteins MUC5B and MUC7 inhibit HIV-1 entry. MUC5B is a more potent inhibitor than MUC7, and HIV status does not affect this inhibition.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Salivary mucins MUC5B and MUC7 are known to inhibit HIV-1 entry in vitro.
- Quantitative comparisons of their inhibitory potencies and the effect of HIV-1 infection on efficacy are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively compare the anti-HIV-1 potency of purified MUC5B and MUC7.
- To investigate if HIV-1 status of sample donors affects mucin inhibitory efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Pseudovirus-based neutralization assay was employed.
- Purified MUC5B and MUC7 were tested for their ability to inhibit HIV-1 entry.
- Donor HIV status was considered.
Main Results:
- Donor HIV status had no detectable effect on salivary mucin-mediated HIV-1 inhibition.
- MUC5B demonstrated significantly more potent HIV-1 inhibition (median IC50 50 μg/ml) compared to MUC7 (median IC50 458 μg/ml).
Conclusions:
- MUC5B is a substantially more effective inhibitor of HIV-1 than MUC7.
- MUC5B's larger size, gel-forming properties, and extensive glycosylation likely contribute to its enhanced viral binding and aggregation capabilities.
- MUC5B's higher abundance in saliva suggests it plays a major role in saliva's anti-HIV-1 properties.
