Maternal immune response to HIV-1 and perinatal trasmission

Pregnancy represents a time of dynamic physiologic changes in immunoregulation with a predominant Type 2 immune response. HIV infection during pregnancy impacts the immune system, especially CD4 depletion and cellular activation. How these immune factors ultimately determine maternal-fetal HIV transmission is extremely complex. We are now beginning to understand the immune factors that influence HIV transmission, both systemically and at the placental interface. A better understanding of these factors will potentially lead to development of new therapeutic intervention for reducing maternal-fetal HIV transmission.