MUCOSAL IMMUNITY IN THE HUMAN FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT - CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION IN THE CERVIX AND VAGINA OF PREMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

PROBLEM: To investigate the mucosal immune system in the cervix and va gina of premenopausal women in terms of immune cells present and cytol ytic capacity of mucosal CD3+ lymphocytes, vagina T cells in the lower reproductive tract. METHODS: Fresh tissue fragments prepared by vibra tome sectioning were analyzed for the presence of immune cells by conf ocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Isolated reproductive tract cel ls prepared by enzymatic digestion were analyzed for CD3+ T cell pheno type by FAGS analysis and for cytolytic function by an anti-CD3 mAb me diated redirected lysis assay. RESULTS: As determined by CSLM, CD3+ ce lls as well as macrophages and dendritic cells are distributed through out the lower female reproductive tract in both the epithelium and sub epithelial mucosa. It was found that cervical and vaginal tissues from pre- and post-menopausal women contain CD3+ T cells (CTL) that have c ytolytic activity, when measured in an antigen non-specific anti-CD3 m Ab mediated redirected lysis assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicat e that the lower reproductive tract of women is immuno-competent as ju dged by the presence of CD3, CD4, CD8, macrophage, and dendritic cells in the endocervix. ectocervix, and vagina of premenopausal and postme nopausal women. Further, these studies demonstrate that CD3+ T cells w ith cytolytic activity are present in the cervix and vagina during the proliferative and secretory phases of the menstrual cycle and followi ng menopause.