Journal article
Short Communication: Effect of Seminal Plasma on Functions of Monocytes and Granulocytes
KJ Selva, JA Juno, MJ Worley, AW Chung, G Tachedjian, SJ Kent, MS Parsons
AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses | MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC | Published : 2019
Abstract
Most HIV-1 transmissions occur at mucosae and involve exposure to semen. Semen contains immunomodulatory factors, which inhibit anti-HIV-1 natural killer cell and T cell responses. We demonstrate high concentrations (1:2 dilution) of seminal plasma (SP) inhibit monocyte phagocytosis and anti-HIV-1 Fc-dependent functions of both neutrophils and monocytes. In addition, slightly lower SP concentrations (1:2-1:10 dilutions) inhibit granulocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst of both monocytes and granulocytes. These observations may have implications for HIV-1 infectivity after mucosal exposure.