Human cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 co-infection in human cervical tissue

Andrea M. Fox-Canale, Thomas J. Hope, Jeffrey Martinson, John R. Lurain, Alfred W. Rademaker, James W. Bremer, Alan Landay, Gregory T. Spear, Nell S. Lurain

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infect the female genital tract. A human cervical explant model was developed to study single and dual infection by these viruses in the genital compartment. An HCMV strain expressing green fluorescent protein, and two clinical HCMV strains produced peak viral DNA copies at 14 to 21 days post-infection. Peak levels of HIV-1Ba-L p24 antigen occurred at 7 days post-infection. HIV-1Ba-L appeared to enhance HCMV in co-infected tissues. Singly and dually infected explants produced increased levels of cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and GRO-α in culture supernatants. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis showed HCMV infection of leukocytes with the phenotype CD45+/CD1a+/CD14+/HLA-DR+ but not stromal or endothelial cells. Cells expressing both GFP and HIV-1 p24 antigen were detected in co-infected tissues. The cervical explants provide an ex vivo human model for examining mechanisms of virus-virus interaction and pathogenesis in clinically relevant tissue.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-68
Number of pages14
JournalVirology
Volume369
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 5 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cervical explant
  • Female genital tract
  • HIV-1
  • Human cytomegalovirus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Virology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Human cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus type-1 co-infection in human cervical tissue'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this