T-cell activation and B-cell interaction signatures in rectal tissues are associated with HIV replication in ex-vivo model of infection

The rectal mucosa is a critical site of HIV vulnerability. We sought to identify transcriptomic features of rectal mucosal tissue prior to exposure associated with support or restriction of HIV replication. For the first time, we identified rectal tissue transcriptomic signatures associated with increased p24 production utilizing an ex-vivo model. Our findings are highly relevant to HIV transmission and the early establishment of HIV reservoirs in humans. Overall design: Rectal tissue from HIV-negative cisgendermen (n=57) underwent concurrent RNAseq transcriptomic analyses (two biopsies/participant) and challenge with HIV in the ex-vivo explant model of infection (three biopsies challenged/participant) as part of a larger cohort study to understand the rectal mucosal immune environment among MSM.