title: Vaginal Inflammation: Association between Leukocyte Concentration and Levels of Immune Mediators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A wide variety of mediators are involved in inflammatory processes. However, the identity of those participating in vaginal immune responses has not been established. We correlated extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), hyaluronan (HA), hyaluronidase-1 (Hyal-1), human β-defensin-2 (hBD2), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) concentrations with the extent of leukocyte infiltration into the vagina and suggest their participation in vaginal inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vaginal fluid was obtained from 233 women seen at the outpatient clinic in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Campinas University, Brazil. The magnitude of vaginal inflammation was determined by the leukocyte count on vaginal smears and categorized as no inflammation (0 leukocytes/field), moderate inflammation (1-4 leukocytes/field), and intense inflammation (>4 leukocytes/field). Concentrations of EMMPRIN, MMP-8, HA, Hyal-1, hBD2, and NGAL were determined in vaginal fluid by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EMMPRIN, MMP-8, HA, hBD2, and NGAL concentration increased with elevated leukocyte numbers (P < 0.05), while Hyal-1 did not. EMMPRIN concentrations were correlated with HA and MMP-8 levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EMMPRIN, MMP-8, HA, β-defensin, and NGAL are elevated in women with vaginal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joziani
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beghini
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Giraldo
authors.affiliation: Department of Motherhood and Child, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eleutério
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rose Luce do
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nádia C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Polpeta
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Katherine
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D000328:Adult; D051926:Basigin / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000276:immunology*; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000276:immunology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000276:immunology*; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000276:immunology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult; D023083:beta-Defensins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; C497886:BSG protein, human; C106641:DEFB4A protein, human; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D023083:beta-Defensins; D051926:Basigin; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; C488762:MMP8 protein, human; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8
keywords: Beta-defensin; extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN); hyaluronan; inflammation; leukocytes; matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8); neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)