Antiviral efficacy of C5A is preserved in genital fluids.

TZM cells (100,000 cells/mL) were exposed to JR-CSF (1 ng of p24) for 4 h together with increasing concentrations of C5A or control non-amphipathic C5A peptide diluted in various conditions including DMEM (without serum), seminal plasma (8 donors), cervical fluids (4 donors) or vaginal mucus (4 donors). Cells were then washed and infection was measured 48 h after infection by β-galactosidase activity. Data are expressed as IC50 in µM. Results are representative of 3 independent experiments.