title: Phenotype and functionality of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the upper reproductive tract of healthy premenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate the phenotype and functional responsiveness of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells in the upper reproductive tract of healthy premenopausal women. The lower reproductive tract is frequently studied as a site of sexually transmitted infections; however, the upper reproductive tract may also be a portal of entry and dissemination for pathogens, including HIV-1.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endometrial biopsy, endocervical curettage, cytobrush, and blood were collected during mid-luteal phase from 23 healthy women. T-cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared with their counterparts in blood, endometrial and endocervical T-cells had enhanced CCR5 expression, and were enriched for activated, effector memory cells. Endometrial T-cells were more responsive to polyclonal stimuli, producing a broad range of cytokines and chemokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings underscore the responsiveness of endometrial T-cells to stimulation, and reveal their activated phenotype. These findings also suggest susceptibility of the upper reproductive tract to HIV-1 infection.
authors: Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
authors: Uma
authors: U
authors: Shanmugasundaram
authors: J William
authors: JW
authors: Critchfield
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Pannell
authors: Jean
authors: J
authors: Perry
authors: Linda C
authors: LC
authors: Giudice
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Smith-McCune
authors: Ruth M
authors: RM
authors: Greenblatt
authors: Barbara L
authors: BL
authors: Shacklett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D017697:Premenopause; D019713:Receptors, CCR5 / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: C584933:CCR5 protein, human; D016207:Cytokines; D019713:Receptors, CCR5
keywords: CTL; HIV; STD; T-cell; endocervix; endometrium