Prevotella Timonensis Bacteria Associated With Vaginal Dysbiosis Enhance Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Susceptibility of Vaginal Cd4+ T Cells Publisher Pubmed



Van Teijlingen NH^{1, 2, 3} ; Van Smoorenburg MY^{1, 2} ; Sarramiforooshani R^{1, 4} ; Zijlstrawillems EM^{1, 2} ; Van Hamme JL^{1, 2} ; Borgdorff H^{5, 6} ; Van De Wijgert JHHM⁷ ; Van Leeuwen E³ ; Van Der Post JAM³ ; Strijbis K⁸ ; Ribeiro CMS^{1, 2} ; Geijtenbeek TBH^{1, 2}
Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases Published:2024

Abstract

Dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome poses a serious risk for sexual human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission. Prevotella spp are abundant during vaginal dysbiosis and associated with enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility; however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the direct effect of vaginal bacteria on HIV-1 susceptibility of vaginal CD4+ T cells. Notably, pre-exposure to Prevotella timonensis enhanced HIV-1 uptake by vaginal T cells, leading to increased viral fusion and enhanced virus production. Pre-exposure to antiretroviral inhibitors abolished P timonensis–enhanced infection. Our study shows that the vaginal microbiome directly affects mucosal CD4+ T-cell susceptibility, emphasizing importance of vaginal dysbiosis diagnosis and treatment. © The Author(s) 2024.