Penile bacteria associated with HIV seroconversion, inflammation, and immune cells

Jessica L. Prodger, Alison G. Abraham, Aaron A.R. Tobian, Daniel E. Park, Maliha Aziz, Kelsey Roach, Ronald H. Gray, Lane Buchanan, Godfrey Kigozi, Ronald M. Galiwango, Joseph Ssekasanvu, James Nnamutete, Joseph Kagaayi, Rupert Kaul, Cindy M. Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The foreskin is a site of heterosexual acquisition of HIV-1 among uncircumcised men. However, some men remain HIV-negative despite repeated, unprotected vaginal intercourse with HIV-positive partners, while others become infected after few exposures. The foreskin microbiome includes a diverse group of anaerobic bacteria that have been linked to HIV acquisition. However, these anaerobes tend to coassociate, making it difficult to determine which species might increase HIV risk and which may be innocent bystanders. Here, we show that 6 specific anaerobic bacterial species, Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Prevotella bivia, Prevotella disiens, Dialister propionicifaciens, Dialister micraerophilus, and a genetic near neighbor of Dialister succinatiphilus, significantly increased cytokine production, recruited HIV-susceptible CD4+ T cells to the inner foreskin, and were associated with HIV acquisition. This strongly suggests that the penile microbiome increases host susceptibility to HIV and that these species are potential targets for microbiome-based prevention strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere147363
JournalJCI Insight
Volume6
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Penile bacteria associated with HIV seroconversion, inflammation, and immune cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this