title: Role of the innate immunity in female reproductive tract.
abstract: The mucosal immune system in the female reproductive tract (FRT) is well equipped to meet the sexually transmitted pathogens, allogeneic sperm, and the immunologically distinct fetus. Analysis of the FRT indicates that epithelial cells provide a physical barrier against pathogens and microbial infections as well as secretions containing anti-microbial peptides, cytokines, and chemokines which recruit and activate immune cells. Epithelial and immune cells confer protection in part through Toll-like receptors. The aim of this literature is to review the diverse components of the innate immune system, contributing to an exclusive protection system throughout the FRT.
authors.affiliation: Applied Physiology Research Center and Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Department of Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemehsadat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amjadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ensieh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Science, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehdizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aflatoonian
keywords: Anti-microbial peptides; Toll-like receptors; cytokines and chemokines; female reproductive tract; immune cells