Temporal and spatial characterization of HIV/SIV infection at anorectal mucosa using rhesus macaque rectal challenge model.

Men who have sex with men are at the highest risk of acquiring HIV via receptive anal intercourse. Understanding what sites are permissive to the virus, and what the early cellular targets are is critical for development of effective prevention strategies to control HIV acquisition amid receptive anal intercourse. Our work sheds light on the early HIV/SIV transmission events at the rectal mucosa by identifying the infected cells and highlights the distinct roles that different tissues play in virus acquisition and control.