Investigating the effects of physical maturation and sexual debut on HIV-1 susceptibility in adolescent males in Rakai, Uganda
Abstract
Despite global reductions in HIV, adolescents represent a population where HIV acquisition is still high. While high-risk taking behavior may contribute to the increased incidence seen in adolescents, the effects of physical maturation and sexual debut are not well characterized in males. We enrolled n=200 uncircumcised adolescent males aged 15-17 with no history of sexual experience and assessed them as they matured reproductively and/or engaged in penile-vaginal sex over 3 years. For adolescents who underwent circumcision, we characterized their foreskin immune cells to assess HIV risk. We found that cryopreserved foreskin tissue is equally suitable for immunological analysis as fresh tissue. We also found that in participants who remained sexually naïve at circumcision, HIV risk did not correlate with puberty. Lastly, we noted that sexual debut may be associated with changes in the abundance of HIV-susceptible cells. These results suggest that sexual debut may modify adolescents’ risk for HIV acquisition.