title: Upregulation of interferon-alpha and RANTES in the cervix of HIV-1-seronegative women with high-risk behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The expression of innate immune molecules associated with potential blocking activity of HIV-1 propagation was analyzed in the cervical tissue of a group of African HIV-1 IgG-negative commercial sex workers (CSWs) with an HIV-1-encountering risk behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical biopsies from the superior portion of the ectocervix were assessed for innate immune molecules and evaluated in situ by computerized image analysis at the single-cell level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher expression of interferon-alpha (IFNalpha) and RANTES was detected in CSWs and HIV-1-infected individuals as compared to low-risk HIV-1-uninfected controls (Neg Ctrls). Most (>90%) of RANTES-expressing cells were CD8 cells as determined by confocal microscopy. In contrast, the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) was comparable between the groups. The expression of beta-defensin 2 was highest in HIV-1-infected individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Induction of IFNalpha and RANTES expression in cervical mucosa may contribute to protection of sexual HIV-1 transmission in subjects with a higher risk behavior.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Taha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirbod
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uberti-Foppa
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manghi
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lopalco
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Broliden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D018946:Chemokine CCL5 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D018946:Chemokine CCL5; D016898:Interferon-alpha