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Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets
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Pediatric HIV-1 Acquisition and Lifelong Consequences of Infant Infection

Cody S Nelson1, Genevieve G A Fouda1, Sallie R Permar1

  • 1Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Current Immunology Reviews
|November 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, over 170,000 children still acquire HIV annually. Understanding immune factors is crucial for developing targeted therapies to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT).

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced HIV vertical transmission, but implementation challenges persist, leading to over 170,000 pediatric HIV infections annually.
  • Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 occurs via intrauterine, intrapartum, or postpartum routes, complicated by the diverse maternal-fetal interface.
  • Pediatric HIV infection remains a global health challenge, necessitating novel strategies beyond current ART protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biological mechanisms underlying pediatric HIV infection.
  • To identify unique immune factors that confer protection against different modes of HIV MTCT.
  • To inform the development of targeted immune interventions for preventing infant HIV acquisition.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mother-infant human cohorts.
  • Utilizing nonhuman primate models for simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) acquisition studies.
  • Investigating the maternal-fetal interface in the context of HIV transmission.

Main Results:

  • Observations on the biology of pediatric HIV infection have been made.
  • Unique protective immune factors have been identified for distinct MTCT routes.
  • The heterogeneity of the maternal-fetal interface presents challenges for immune intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Knowledge of protective immune factors is critical for preventing infant HIV acquisition.
  • Targeted immune therapies are essential to eradicate the pediatric AIDS epidemic.
  • Further research into immune responses at different stages of MTCT is warranted.

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