title: The effect of menopause on the innate antiviral activity of cervicovaginal lavage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reproductive hormones are known to impact innate mucosal immune function of the lower genital tract. Our objectives were to determine the effect of hormonal status on intrinsic antiviral (herpes simplex virus [HSV]-1, HSV-2, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-1) activity of cervicovaginal lavage (CVL).
  
  
  METHODS
  CVL was collected from 165 asymptomatic women including postmenopausal women (n = 29); women not on contraception in days 1-14 (n = 26) or days 15-28 (n = 27) of the menstrual cycle; and women using the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (n = 28), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 28), or combined oral contraceptives (n = 27). The anti-HSV-1/-2 and the anti-HIV-1 activity of the CVL were measured using plaque assays and the Jurkat-Tat-CCR5 assay, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CVL from all of the groups had modest antiviral activity. Anti-HIV-1 activity was decreased in CVL from postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women (11% vs 34%, P = .002). However, there was no difference in anti-HIV-1 activity among premenopausal women regardless of phase of menstrual cycle or contraceptive use. Anti-HIV-1 activity was associated with the protein content of the CVL (r = 0.44, P < .001). There was no difference in anti-HSV-1 or -2 activity by hormonal group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Menopause is associated with decreased innate HIV-1 activity in the lower genital tract, suggesting that factors in the vaginal fluid could play a role in increased susceptibility of HIV-1 infection in postmenopausal women. Hormonal contraceptive use, menopause, and phase of menstrual cycle did not have a measurable impact on the intrinsic anti-HSV-1 or -2 activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: chappellca@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chappell
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY.
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Isaacs
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY.
authors.forename: Weimin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Meyn
authors.affiliation: Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uranker
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Charlene S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Dezzutti
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Bernard J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Moncla
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007436:Intrauterine Devices, Medicated; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000276:immunology*; D017697:Premenopause / Q000276:immunology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology*; D044364:Vaginal Douching; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003277:Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D017258:Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
keywords: contraception; herpes simplex virus; human immunodeficiency virus; innate mucosal immunity; menopause
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