Human Prostate and HIV-1 Replication
Author Information
Author(s): Le Tortorec Anna, Satie Anne-Pascale, Denis Hélène, Rioux-Leclercq Nathalie, Havard Laurence, Ruffault Annick, Jégou Bernard, Dejucq-Rainsford Nathalie
Primary Institution: Inserm, U625, Rennes, France
Hypothesis
Does the human prostate support productive infection by HIV-1 strains with different tropism?
Conclusion
The BPH prostate is a site of HIV-1 R5 replication that could contribute virus to semen, while X4 strains show limited replication.
Supporting Evidence
- Prostate tissues maintained their overall characteristics for 21/2 weeks in culture.
- HIV-1 R5SF162 strain consistently infected prostatic T lymphocytes and macrophages.
- X4IIIB strain showed less efficient replication in prostate tissues.
Takeaway
The prostate can get infected by a type of HIV called R5, which might help spread the virus in semen, but another type called X4 doesn't spread as well there.
Methodology
An organotypic culture of prostate tissue was used to assess HIV-1 infection by measuring RT activity and quantifying HIV DNA.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the selection of tissue from a specific patient population.
Limitations
The study was limited to a small sample size and only included prostate tissues from men with benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Participant Demographics
Prostate tissues were obtained from healthy, HIV-1 seronegative men aged 50-55 undergoing surgery for BPH.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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