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Distribution of Immune Cells in the Human Cervix and Implications for HIV Transmission
Author(s) -
Trifonova Radiana T.,
Lieberman Judy,
Baarle Debbie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12198
Subject(s) - immune system , transmission (telecommunications) , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , cervix , biology , virology , computer science , genetics , cancer , telecommunications
Problem Knowledge of the mucosal immune cell composition of the human female genital tract is important for understanding susceptibility to HIV ‐1. Method of study We developed an optimized procedure for multicolor flow cytometry analysis of immune cells from human cervix to characterize all major immune cell subsets in the endocervix and ectocervix. Results Half of tissue hematopoietic cells were CD 14 + , many of which were macrophages and about a third were CD 11c + , most of which were CD 103 − CD 11b + CX 3 CR 1 + DC ‐ SIGN + dendritic cells ( DC s). The other dominant population were T cells, with more CD 8 than CD 4 cells. T cells (both CD 8 and CD 4) and B cells were more abundant in the ectocervix than endocervix of pre‐menopausal women; however, CD 8 + T cell and B cell numbers declined in the ectocervix after menopause, while CD 4 T cell counts remained higher. B, NK and conventional myeloid and plasmocytoid DC s each were a few percent of tissue hematopoietic cells. Although the ectocervix had more HIV ‐susceptible CD 4 + T cells, polarized endocervical explants supported HIV replication significantly better. Conclusion Due to their abundance in the genital tract, CX 3 CR 1 + DC ‐ SIGN + DC s might be important in HIV transmission. Our data also suggest that the columnar epithelium of the upper genital tract might be a preferential site for HIV transmission.