This study demonstrates that functionally active HLA-G polymorphisms are associated with altered risk of HIV-1 infection in African women. This provides evidence to support the hypothesis that modulation of HLA-G expression by HIV-1 can contribute to the risk of infection. Targeted interventions to reduce or block HLA-G expression in genital tissues could lead to novel strategies for the prevention of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission.
IMPORTANCE Preterm birth remains a leading cause of perinatal mortality and lifelong morbidity worldwide. The cause of most preterm births is unknown, although several infectious processes have been implicated.OBJECTIVE To assess whether human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a frequent infection among women of childbearing age, is associated with preterm birth.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.