title: Detection of intraepithelial and stromal Langerin and CCR5 positive cells in the human endometrium: potential targets for HIV infection.
abstract: Both the upper (endocervix and uterus) and lower (ectocervix and vagina) female genital tract mucosa are considered to be target sites for sexual transmission of HIV. There are a few reports on the T cell and antigen-presenting cell distribution in human endometrial tissue however, there is little known about the expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 and HIV-binding C-type lectin receptors on endometrial cell subsets. We therefore assessed endometrial tissue sections from HIV seronegative women undergoing hysterectomy of a benign and non-inflammatory cause for phenotypic characterization of potential HIV target cells and receptors by immunohistochemistry. Langerin was expressed on intraepithelial CD1a+CD4+ and CD11c+CD4+ Langerhans cells. Furthermore, CCR5+CD4+CD3+ T cells, DC-SIGN+MR+CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells and MR+CD68+ macrophages were found within or adjacent to the epithelium of the uterine lumen. In addition, occasional CD123+ BDCA-2+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells were detected deep in the endometrial stroma. Both T cells and several antigen-presenting cells were detected in lymphoid aggregate formations in close proximity to the epithelial lining. The finding of intraepithelial and stromal Langerin+ cells as well as CCR5+ CD4+ T cells is novel for human endometrium.
authors: Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Tove
authors: T
authors: Kaldensjö
authors: Pernilla
authors: P
authors: Petersson
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Tolf
authors: Gareth
authors: G
authors: Morgan
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Broliden
authors: Taha
authors: T
authors: Hirbod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C121916:CD207 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D019713:Receptors, CCR5