Cervical cotinine and macrophage-Langerhans cell density in the normal human uterine cervix.
Cotinine levels in blood and cervical fluid of smokers and non-smokers were analysed using capillary-column gas chromatography. These levels were not related to numerical cell densities of intraepithelial S100-protein- and LN2-positive Langerhans cells or to MAC-387-positive macrophages in the stroma of the transformation zone of normal uterine cervices. A decrease in the number of Langerhans cells was noted in smokers, especially in those using oral contraceptives (OCs). Macrophages were more numerous in the endocervical stroma of smokers, suggesting a local response to smoke constituents. These findings may indicate a synergistic suppression of local cervical immunity by smoking and OCs.
Poppe
W A
WA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, St. Rafael-Gasthuisberg, Belgium.
Peeters
R
R
Drijkoningen
M
M
Ide
P S
PS
Daenens
P
P
Lauweryns
J M
JM
Van Assche
F A
FA
D000328:Adult; D002452:Cell Count; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D019006:Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules; D009418:S100 Proteins; D003367:Cotinine