Protective or pathogenic immune response to genital chlamydial infection in women--a possible role of cytokine secretion profile of cervical mucosal cells

Clin Immunol. 2009 Mar;130(3):347-54. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.10.004. Epub 2008 Nov 20.

Abstract

Little is known about genital mucosal immune response to chlamydial infection in women with or without sequelae (Chlamydia positive women with or without fertility disorders as infertility and multiple spontaneous abortions). Cervical lymphocytes were stimulated with chlamydial EBs and cytokine secretion was determined by ELISA, RT-PCR and ELISPOT assays. Stimulated cervical cells from women with fertility disorders (FD) secrete significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 and cells from fertile women secrete significantly higher levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma compared to other groups. RT-PCR analysis showed similar results for IFN-gamma and IL-12. For IL-10 and IL-4, mRNA expression levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in cells obtained from women with FD compared to other groups. Results for ELISPOT assay were similar as those of RT-PCR. The results suggest that cytokine secretion profile of cervical cells may decide whether infection does not hamper fertility or will develop fertility disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cervix Uteri / cytology
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / immunology*
  • Chlamydia Infections / prevention & control
  • Chlamydia trachomatis / immunology
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Genital Diseases, Female / immunology*
  • Genital Diseases, Female / pathology
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Mucous Membrane / cytology
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reference Standards
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • RNA, Messenger