Immunobiology of mucosal HIV infection and the basis for development of a new generation of mucosal AIDS vaccines

Mucosal tissues are the primary site of natural HIV transmission and a major reservoir for HIV replication. Targeting immune responses to the mucosal entry site before viral dissemination could protect and also clear viral reservoirs. Recent understanding of mucosal HIV transmission and of chemokines and integrins in mucosal trafficking can aid design of new strategies to enhance AIDS vaccine efficacy.