title: The structure of the human vaginal stratum corneum and its role in immune defense.
abstract: The superficial layers of the human vaginal epithelium, which form an interface between host and environment, are comprised of dead flattened cells that have undergone a terminal cell differentiation program called cornification. This entails extrusion of nuclei and intercellular organelles, and the depletion of functional DNA and RNA precluding the synthesis of new proteins. As a consequence, the terminally differentiated cells do not maintain robust intercellular junctions and have a diminished capacity to actively respond to microbial exposure, yet the vaginal stratum corneum (SC) mounts an effective defense against invasive microbial infections. The vaginal SC in reproductive-aged women is comprised of loosely connected glycogen-filled cells, which are permeable to bacterial and viral microbes as well as molecular and cellular mediators of immune defense. We propose here that the vaginal SC provides a unique microenvironment that maintains vaginal health by fostering endogenous lactobacilli and retaining critical mediators of acquired and innate immunity. A better understanding of the molecular and physicochemical properties of the vaginal SC could promote the design of more effective topical drugs and microbicides.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Jai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marathe
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pudney
mesh_terms: D060833:Cellular Microenvironment / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology
keywords: Female genital tract; HIV; immunity; microbicides; microflora; stratum corneum; vagina