title: Vaginal T lymphocyte population kinetics during experimental vaginal candidosis: evidence for a possible role of CD8+ T cells in protection against vaginal candidosis.
abstract: Vaginal candidosis represents a significant health problem to women of childbearing age worldwide. It has been postulated that localized T cells play a role in protection against vaginal candidosis. In an attempt to evaluate the role of vaginal T cells in protection against vaginal candidosis, T cell population kinetics was evaluated using an oestrogen-dependent vaginal candidosis murine model. Vaginal T lymphocytes were isolated at different time points post C. albicans inoculation, viable cells were enumerated, phenotypically analysed for the expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 T cell markers and absolute numbers of T cell subsets were calculated. Oestrogen-induced persistence of vaginal candidosis resulted in a significant increase in the total number of vaginal lymphocytes within 24-48 h post infection; increased vaginal lymphocyte numbers persisted throughout the infection period. The number of CD3+ T cells dramatically increased following C. albicans administration and was maintained at high levels throughout the infection period. The majority of CD3+ T cells were of the CD8+ type; however, considerable numbers of both CD4+ T cells and CD4+CD8+ T cells were also observed throughout the infection period. The considerable and persistent increase in vaginal T cell numbers in general and that of CD8+ T cells in particular are evidence of the possible role played by localized T cells in protection against vaginal candidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Hashemite University, Jordan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghaleb
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hamad
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Abu-Elteen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002455:Cell Division; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D004958:Estradiol