title: Characterization of IL-22 and IL-17 Expressing Leukocytes in the Cervix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identification of the types of cells that produce IL-17 and IL-22 in the genital tract can clarify the roles that these cytokines play in responses to pathogens.
  
  
  METHODS
  We isolated and stimulated cells from cervical tissue to identify and characterize cytokine-producing cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Upon stimulation of CD3+ CD4+ endocervical cells, 1.6, 3.4, and 1.5% were induced to produce IL-22, IL-17, and both cytokines, respectively. Stimulation of CD3+ CD4+ ectocervical cells resulted in 3.3% IL-22+, 5.5% IL-17(+) and 2.6% IL-22(+) IL17+ cells. CD45+ CD3- cells had relatively high endogenous levels of cytokine expression that did not increase upon stimulation. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) made up 5.7-8% of CD45+ cervical cells and stimulation caused increases in IL-17 and IL-22.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These studies show that the majority of the CD45+ leukocytes that can be induced to produce IL-22 and IL-17 in cervix are CD3+ CD4+, but ILCs are also present and can make both cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Hadijat M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Makinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Nell
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lurain
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Pincas
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bitterman
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plants
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Alan L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Landay
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Greg T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Spear
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007114:Immunization; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000378:metabolism*; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D020381:Interleukin-17; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22
keywords: Cervix; IL-17; IL-22; ILCs; T-cells