Th17 Cells Are Preferentially Infected Very Early after Vaginal Transmission of SIV in Macaques

The difficulty in detecting rare infected cells immediately after mucosal HIV transmission has hindered our understanding of the initial cells targeted by the virus. Working with the macaque simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) vaginal challenge model, we developed methodology to identify discrete foci of SIV (mac239) infection 48 hr after vaginal inoculation. We find infectious foci throughout the reproductive tract, from labia to ovary. Phenotyping infected cells reveals that SIV has a significant bias for infection of CCR6+ CD4+ T cells. SIV-infected cells expressed the transcriptional regulator RORγt, confirming that the initial target cells are specifically of the Th17 lineage. Furthermore, we detect host responses to infection, as evidenced by apoptosis, cell lysis, and phagocytosis of infected cells. Thus, our analysis identifies Th17-lineage CCR6+ CD4+ T cells as primary targets of SIV during vaginal transmission. This opens new opportunities for interventions to protect these cells and prevent HIV transmission. [Display omitted] •Methodology to identify SIV-infected foci 48 hr after vaginal exposure in macaques•Vaginal exposure with SIV causes infection throughout the female reproductive tract•SIV preferentially infects Th17 cells during the first 48 hr after challenge•Host-mediated antiviral measures are observed by day 2 after vaginal exposure Understanding mucosal transmission of HIV is critical to design effective prevention strategies. Utilizing a rhesus macaque model of SIV infection, Stieh et al. identify CCR6+ RORγt+ Th17 cells throughout the female reproductive tract as being selectively targeted for infection early during transmission.