Mucosal predictors of HIV acquisition

The Hope lab has extensive experience in microscopic imaging technology to identify the first SIV target cells in the FGT, as well as to identify the earliest sites (foci) and cells infected after vaginal inoculation. Antibodies will be used to stain for in vivo HIV target cells as described, including CD4+ T cells (CD3+CD4+), macrophages (CD14+CD4+), co-receptors (CCR5,CXCR4,CCR6), integrins (47), and activation status (HLA-DR, CD38, Ki67). CAPRISA biomaker proteins will be evaluated at these sites by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescense at foci of infection, and immediately adjacent sections where there is an absence of infected foci. Differences in protein expression will be performed by standard t-test of flurorescent density as measured by microscopy. We will assess whether CAPRISA HIV risk biomarkers co-localize in the FGT in vivo with increased target cell density or frequency, and underlies HIV susceptibility.