Prevotella timonensis Bacteria Associated With Vaginal Dysbiosis Enhance Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Susceptibility Of Vaginal CD4 + T Cells

Abstract

Dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome poses a serious risk for sexual human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission. Prevotella spp are abundant during vaginal dysbiosis and associated with enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility; however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the direct effect of vaginal bacteria on HIV-1 susceptibility of vaginal CD4 + T cells. Notably, pre-exposure to Prevotella timonensis enhanced HIV-1 uptake by vaginal T cells, leading to increased viral fusion and enhanced virus production. Pre-exposure to antiretroviral inhibitors abolished P timonensis–enhanced infection. Our study shows that the vaginal microbiome directly affects mucosal CD4 + T-cell susceptibility, emphasizing importance of vaginal dysbiosis diagnosis and treatment.