The Microbiological Context of HIV Resistance: Vaginal Microbiota and Mucosal Inflammation at the Viral Point of Entry

Figure 3

The microbiological context of HIV resistance. Vaginal microbiology influences susceptibility of the mucosal layer to HIV infection in multiple interrelated ways, including (1) direct effects on viral particles or infected allogenic cells via binding, mannose scavenging, or bacterial metabolites (acid, H₂O₂), (2) alteration of quantity/viscosity/permeability of mucin network in mucus layer via proteases, (3) stimulation of innate mucosal defence molecules and cells via TLR stimulation, and (4) modulation of T-cell activation and susceptibility via conditioning by TLR-stimulated dendritic cells, macrophages, or epithelial cells.