Endometrial Epithelial Cell Responses to Coinfecting Viral and Bacterial Pathogens in the Genital Tract Can Activate the HIV-1 LTR in an NFκB-and AP-1–Dependent Manner

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are associated with increased human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) susceptibility and viral shedding in the genital tract, but the mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. METHODS: Direct activation of HIV long terminal repeats (LTRs), a proxy measure for HIV-1 replication, was measured after treatment of 1G5 T cells with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, herpes …