title: MHC expression and chemokine production in the murine vagina following intra-vaginal administration of ligands to toll-like receptors 3, 7 and 9.
abstract: The expression of MHC class I, MHC class II and the chemokines IP-10, MIP-1alpha, RANTES, fractalkine and I-TAC has been analyzed after intra-vaginal treatment with three synthetic toll-like receptors (TLR) agonists-double-stranded RNA (poly I:C), imiquimod and CpG-rich oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN). These compounds act mainly through TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9, respectively. CpG-ODN induced an accumulation of leucocytes in the vagina, and a strong up-regulation of MHC class I expression on both leucocytes and epithelial cells. Imiquimod and poly I:C induced a weak MHC class I up-regulation in the epithelium but not in the lamina propria. Neither treatment had any profound effect on expression of MHC class II on epithelial cells but poly I:C and to a lesser extent CpG-ODN, up-regulated MHC class II staining intensity which, in the case of CpG-ODN, treatment, was associated with a strong accumulation of CD11c-positive dendritic cells. All three treatments induced an early (8h) but transient IP-10 response. Imiquimod and CpG-ODN, but not poly I:C induced an early MIP-1alpha response which remained for at least 7 days in CpG-ODN-treated animals but not in imiquimod-treated mice. Poly I:C and CpG-ODN, but not imiquimod, induced significant levels of RANTES at different time-points post-treatment. None of the treatments induced any significant changes in the levels of fractalkine, I-TAC or IFN-alpha. These studies have implications for the manipulation of the genital immune response and also improving the outcome of vaginal immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology & Inflammation Research, Göteborg University, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nurkkala
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology & Inflammation Research, Göteborg University, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nordström
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology & Inflammation Research, Göteborg University, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Esbjörn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Telemo
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology & Inflammation Research, Göteborg University, Guldhedsgatan 10A, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address: kristina.eriksson@microbio.gu.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eriksson
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018925:Chemokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008024:Ligands; D051379:Mice; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000819:agonists* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D039521:CD11c Antigen; C408982:CPG-oligonucleotide; D018925:Chemokines; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D008024:Ligands; D009838:Oligodeoxyribonucleotides; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D011070:Poly I-C; D000077271:Imiquimod