Humoral immune responses to microbial infections in the genital tract.
Human reproductive tracts represent components of the mucosal immune system with unique features. Although secretory IgA is present, IgG is more abundant, and typical mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue for generating common mucosal immune responses is absent. Antibody responses to genital infections or to locally applied vaccines are usually modest, but alternative strategies for eliciting genital tract antibodies are being developed.
Russell
Michael W
MW
Department of Microbiology, and Witebsky Center for Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, University at Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. russellm@buffalo.edu
Mestecky
Jiri
J
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000276:immunology*; D000882:Haplorhini; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D012377:Rodentia
D007136:Immunoglobulins