Elevated elafin/trappin-2 in the female genital tract is associated with protection against HIV acquisition

Abstract

Using a unique proteomics approach in a large scale, cross-sectional cohort study, we identified elafin/trappin-2 as a novel innate immune factor, which is highly associated with resistance. This association was confirmed within an independent, prospective cohort study. Genital tract elafin/trappin-2 levels constitute a natural correlate of HIV protection in humans.