6th International AIDS Conference San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:314 (abstract no. 1003)
David FJ, Menu E, Dang DC, Raphael M, Autran B, Chaouat G; INSERM, U.262 Clin. Univers. Baudelocque. 123 Bd de PortRoyal. 75674 Paris Cedex 14. France

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular recognition of HIV at the placenta level and mechanism(s) possibly involved in the materno-fetal HIV transmission.

METHODS: Using both a modification of Klinman placental culture technique with dissociated cells, and immunohistochemical localisation with a panel of monoclonal antibodies against trophoblastic markers and monocytes.

RESULTS: We have been able to demonstrate the presence of CD4+ cells in the term human placenta. The various markers of these cells, as well as other placental populations, will be described from FACS analysis. Their histological localisation and nature, including those of Fc-Rs+ cells, will be shown. Their ontogeny is at present under investigation by using both human & Macaca fascicularis placentae, the data of which will be eventually presented. The in vitro infectibility of these cell populations by HIV virus will be assessed by the time of this meeting. Their response to cytokines in culture and the effect of growth processes on infectibility will be detailed.

CONCLUSION: The presence of placental CD4+ and Fc-R+ cell populations raises diverse hypotheses dealing with placental HIV transmission. The clinical relevance of such observations and their implications for perinatal AIDS will be discussed.

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