Specific stimulation of HIV-1 replication in human placental trophoblasts by an antigen of Plasmodium falciparum

AIDS. 2008 Mar 30;22(6):785-7. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3282f560ee.

Abstract

Epidemiological data point to an increased risk of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission in pregnant women with malaria, by unknown mechanisms. We show here that surface binding of a recombinant Plasmodium falciparum adhesin to chondroitin sulphate A proteoglycans increases HIV-1 replication in the human placental cell line BeWo, probably by a P. falciparum adhesin-induced long-terminal repeat-driven TNF-alpha stimulation. This suggests that placental malaria could increase the risk of HIV-1 transmission in utero.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Protozoan / pharmacology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / microbiology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • HIV-1 / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology*
  • Placenta / immunology
  • Placenta / parasitology
  • Placenta / virology
  • Placenta Diseases / immunology
  • Placenta Diseases / parasitology
  • Placenta Diseases / virology
  • Plasmodium falciparum / immunology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / immunology*
  • Trophoblasts / parasitology
  • Trophoblasts / virology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Antigens, Protozoan