title: Human fallopian tube neutrophils--a distinct phenotype from blood neutrophils.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of neutrophils in the human Fallopian tube (FT) is unknown. In order to provide insights into their functions in the FT, we systematically compared neutrophils from normal FT and peripheral blood (PB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Flow cytometric analysis of surface receptors, granule proteins, and intracellular cytokines expressed by neutrophils from enzymatically dispersed FT and PB was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fallopian tube neutrophils expressed significantly higher levels of CD64, human class II histocompatibility antigen DR (HLA-DR), gamma-interferon, and vascular endothelial growth factor than those from PB. Fewer FT neutrophils expressed IL-8 receptors compared to PB, while more expressed the receptor for the bacterial-derived chemoattractant formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). The number of FT neutrophils containing the granule proteins matrix metalloproteinase-9, lactoferrin, and myeloperoxidase was decreased versus PB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fallopian tube neutrophils exhibit a phenotype distinct from PB neutrophils, suggesting functional activation of innate immune defense in the female reproductive tract as well as a potential role in maintaining normal FT physiology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Dartmouth Medical School, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Wira
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Fanger
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology*