One of these mechanisms involves the secretion of a viral transactivator protein and gp120 by HIV-infected cells, which disrupt epithelial tight junctions and enhance intercellular penetration of the HPV to the target cells.36 Because of defective immunity in the host, HPV evades the host immunity, and the suppressed immunity further enhances increased HPV viral loads, infection with multiple HPV types, reactivation of latent HPV infection, and persistence of HPV-associated disease. This evidence concerns the gene ITIH4 and infection.