Increased Serpin A5 levels in the cervicovaginal fluid of HIV-1 exposed seronegatives suggest that a subtle balance between serine proteases and their inhibitors may determine susceptibility to HIV-1 infection

HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs) are persons who possess in vivo resistance against HIV. Using iTRAQ, we compared protein abundance profiles from cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) samples obtained from HESNs with samples from low-risk seronegative and from seropositive persons. Serpin A5 and myeloblastin were up- and downregulated, respectively. We hypothesize that a balance between the downregulation of serine proteinases and the upregulation of their inhibitors may contribute to HIV-resistance 156