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Review
. 2008 Oct 1;22(15):1909-17.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e3283060ea4.

A new strategy to understand how HIV infects women: identification of a window of vulnerability during the menstrual cycle

Charles R Wira, John V Fahey
Review

A new strategy to understand how HIV infects women: identification of a window of vulnerability during the menstrual cycle

Charles R Wira et al. AIDS. .
No abstract available

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Relative changes in levels of estradiol and progesterone during the proliferative and secretory stages of the menstrual cycle
Indicated on days 14–23 is the suggested window of vulnerability to HIV infection. FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone; LH, luteinizing hormone.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. The role of sex hormones in regulating immune function in the upper human female reproductive tract
(a, top) Depicts key immunological mechanisms present in the Fallopian tubes, uterus and endocervix that are essential for successful reproduction. These directly or indirectly impact pathogens that enter the upper female reproductive tract (FRT) and threaten reproductive health. (b, middle) Indicates that these immune mechanisms are under hormonal control. The expanding concentric rings represent estradiol released at mid-cycle along with progesterone released during the secretory stage of the menstrual cycle. (c, bottom) Depicts our hypothesis that estradiol and/or progesterone generally suppress immune protection, resulting in a window of potential HIV infectivity. CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte; SLPI, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. The role of sex hormones in regulating immune function in the lower human female reproductive tract (ectocervix and vagina)
Panels a, b and c are described in detail in Fig. 2 and the text.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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