Distribution of lymphocytes and adhesion molecules in human cervix and vagina

Abstract

SUMMARYKnowledge of the histological distribution of leucocytes and adhesion molecules in the human genital tract is scarce although local immunity in this region is important. Using immunohistochemical methods, we here describe the organization of CD3+, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, CD38+ plasma cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC ) class II+ antigen-presenting cells and CD14+ monocytes, as well as the expression of endothelial addressins in normal human ectocervical and vaginal mucosa. T cells were clustered in a distinct band beneath the epithelium and were also dispersed in the epithelium and the lamina propria, whereas CD38+ plasma cells were present only in the lamina propria. MHC class II+ cells were numerous in the lamina propria and in the epithelium, where they morphologically resembled dendritic cells. Lymphoid aggregates containing CD19+ and CD20+ B cells as well as CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were also found in the cervix. The mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) was not expressed on the vascular endothelium in the cervical or vaginal mucosa. In contrast, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion protein-1 ( VAP-1) and P-selectin were expressed in all tissue samples, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( VCAM-1) and E-selectin were found in four of seven samples. We conclude that the distribution of leucocytes and adhesion molecules is very similar in the ecto-cervical and the vaginal mucosa and that the regulation of lymphocyte homing to the genital tract is different from that seen in the intestine. Our results also clearly suggest that the leucocytes are not randomly scattered in the tissue but organized in a distinct pattern.

Mucosa-Associated Epithelial Chemokine/CCL28 Expression in the Uterus Attracts CCR10+ IgA Plasma Cells following Mucosal Vaccination via Estrogen Control

“…Our results suggest that CCR10 + IgA ASCs in the uterus might migrate from cervical LNs but not from iliac LNs that directly drain LNs of reproductive tissues. Also, unlike other mucosal tissues, female reproductive tracts are devoid of MALT, which could induce T and B cell activation (1,33).…”

Differential Induction of Mucosal and Systemic Antibody Responses in Women After Nasal, Rectal, or Vaginal Immunization: Influence of the Menstrual Cycle

“…The induction of rectal CTB-specific IgA after V-FP imm , but not V-LP imm , might reflect activation in these lymph nodes of more B cells destined to home to the rectal mucosa. However, in women and macaques, greater numbers of lymphocytes are present in the reproductive tract, and small lymphoid aggregates consisting of a B cell core surrounded by either CD8 ϩ or CD4 ϩ T cells and macrophages have been detected in the vagina, cervix, and endometrium during both the midfollicular and -luteal menstrual cycle phases (22)(23)(24). Although their function remains unclear, the presence of these aggregates suggests that induction of immune responses may occur locally, to some extent, in the reproductive tract of humans and nonhuman primates.…”

“…In humans, the vaginal epithelium may not be more permeable to Ag during the luteal phase because progesterone does not significantly thin the epithelium (16). Both the human and rodent reproductive tracts contain large numbers of DC (12,17), but the human (and nonhuman primate) reproductive tract contains much greater numbers of CD4 ϩ and CD8 ϩ T cells, macrophages, B lymphocytes, and plasma cells (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24). In contrast to rodents, the number of these cells in the cervicovaginal mucosa of women and rhesus macaques do not appear to change during the menstrual cycle (17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Circulating immunoglobulin A‐ and immunoglobulin G‐secreting hybridoma cells in peripheral blood preferably migrate to female genital tracts. The role of sex hormones

“…Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin can be found in some tissues. 41 Possibly, the RDI difference between sexes is caused by the difference in expression of the ligands of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells between male and female mouse genital tracts. In addition, the RDIs of SG2 and PA4 cells were higher in lymphoid tissues and duodenum than in other tissues, confirming the previous studies on lymphocyte migration by other groups.…”