Local Th1/Th2 cytokine production during experimental vaginal candidiasis: potential importance of transforming growth factor-beta.
Host defense mechanisms against vaginal Candida albicans infections are poorly understood. Despite the protective role of T helper (Th)1-type cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against mucosal C. albicans infections, studies using an estrogen-dependent murine model of vaginal candidiasis have shown a lack of effect of systemic Th1-type CMI against a vaginal C. albicans infection, and a lack of changes in local T cells during infection. In the present study, the local Thl- (interleukin [IL]-2, interferon [IFN]-gamma and IL-12) and Th2- (IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta1) type cytokines were evaluated in vaginal tissue during an experimental C. albicans infection. Results showed constitutive expression of TGF-beta1 in vaginal tissue of naive mice that was two-fold higher than the levels of the other cytokines examined. These high levels of TGF-beta1 were further increased as a result of pseudoestrus and/or infection, and were corroborated at the messenger RNA level. Furthermore, the levels of TGF-beta in naive or infected mice were significantly higher in the vagina compared to other areas of the genital tract. Finally, TGF-beta1 predominated as well in the draining, but not non-draining, lymph nodes during infection. These results suggest that TGF-beta1, a potent immunoregulatory cytokine, may be important in the lack of demonstrable CMI at the vaginal mucosa against C. albicans.
Taylor
B N
BN
Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Saavedra
M
M
Fidel
P L
PL
D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000032:analysis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000032:analysis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma