Different Regions of HIV-1 Subtype C env Are Associated with Placental Localization and In Utero Mother-to-Child Transmission

摘要: HIV infections are initiated by a limited number of variants that diverge into diverse quasispecies swarm. During in utero mother-to-child transmission (IU MTCT), transmitted viral must pass through multiple unique environments, and our previously published data suggest nonstochastic model transmission. As an alternative to stochastic transmission, we hypothesize selection the placental environment influences character when HIV-1 is utero. To test this hypothesis, used single-template amplification isolate envelope gene (env) sequences from both peripheral plasma placentas eight nontransmitting (NT) nine IU-transmitting participants. Statistically significant compartmentalization between env was detected one NT cases six IU MTCT cases. In addition, isolated tissue showed variation V1 loop lengths compared matched maternal sequences, while did not. Finally, comparison participants indicated statistically differences Kyte-Doolittle hydropathy signal peptide, C2, V3, C3 regions. Our working hypothesis Env associated with alter cellular tropism or affinity, allowing efficiently infect placentally localized cells.