title: Differences in immunoregulatory cytokine expression patterns in the systemic and genital tract compartments of HIV-1-infected commercial sex workers in Benin.
abstract: Initial exposure to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) during heterosexual transmission occurs in the genital tract. Although much of the literature on the immune response to HIV-1 infection is based on studies performed at the systemic level, our understanding of tissue-specific immunity is lacking. Levels of both genital mucosal and blood interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interferon (IFN)-gamma production were compared between 57 HIV-1-uninfected and 52 HIV-1-infected female commercial sex workers (CSWs) as well as 73 HIV-1-uninfected non-CSW control women at low risk for exposure. HIV-1-infected CSWs had significantly higher genital mucosal levels of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma compared with those in both the HIV-uninfected CSW and non-CSW groups. In contrast, the serum levels of all the cytokines tested were lower in HIV-1-infected CSWs compared with those in the other groups. The increased production of genital mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokines in HIV-1-infected CSWs possibly reflects susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression/perpetuation at the initial site of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'immunogénétique, Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Canada.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lajoie
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poudrier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massinga-Loembe
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guédou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agossa-Gbenafa
authors.forename: A-C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Labbé
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alary
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology*; D011477:Sex Work; D044364:Vaginal Douching / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines