The role of the placenta in the vertical transmission of HIV-1

Abstract

Vertical transmission (VT) is the main form of infection by HIV-1 in children under 13 years and estimates show that in 25% of cases intrauterine transmission has occurred. Under these circumstances, the virus somehow overcomes the placental membrane and reaches the fetal blood. This review aims to conduct a brief description of the mechanisms present in human placenta that are capable of generating susceptibility or resistance to VT of HIV-1. Placental cells produces a huge group of cytokines, chemokines, hormones and receptors that may contribute to the outcome of virus transmission to the fetus. Moreover, the ability of the virus to infect placental cells can also contribute to its transmission. However, the mechanism by which the virus is able to overcome the placental tissue is not fully elucidated. Thus, further research in this area may contribute to the development of effective preventive strategies to reduce the VT of HIV-1