A distinct cellular profile is seen in the human endocervix during Chlamydia trachomatis infection.
OBJECTIVE
The endocervix is a major target of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, but little is known about the immune repertoire in this tissue, or its response to these common bacteria.


METHODS
Using a cytobrush, we isolated cells from the endocervix of 20 women during C. trachomatis infection, and post-antibiotic treatment. Endocervical swabs and blood were taken in parallel. Endocervical cells were enumerated, and endocervical and blood T cells immunophenotyped. Chlamydia trachomatis was genotyped by sequence analysis of the OmpA gene, and quantified by culture.


RESULTS
Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes were D, E, F and Ia, and infectious burden varied considerably. Endocervical T cell and neutrophil numbers were highly elevated during infection, with both CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets accumulating. Regardless of the presence or absence of infection, the endocervical cell infiltrate was dominated by effector memory T cells, and the numbers of CCR5 and CD103 expressing T cells was significantly higher than in the blood. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) expression by endocervical T cells was significantly increased during infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The human endocervix exhibits a distinct cellular response to C. trachomatis infection that can be longitudinally evaluated by cytobrush sampling. Infecting organisms can be sampled and analyzed in parallel.
Ficarra
Mercedes
M
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-1393, USA.
Ibana
Joyce S A
JS
Poretta
Constance
C
Ma
Liang
L
Myers
Leann
L
Taylor
Stephanie N
SN
Greene
Sheila
S
Smith
Barbara
B
Hagensee
Michael
M
Martin
David H
DH
Quayle
Alison J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D055815:Young Adult
D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; C078167:OMPA outer membrane proteins
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