Distribution of lymphocytes and adhesion molecules in human cervix and vagina

Knowledge of the histological distribution of leucocytes and adhesion molec ules in the human genital tract is scarce although local immunity in this r egion is important. Using immunohistochemical methods, we here describe the organization of CD3(+), CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells, CD19(+) B cells, CD38() plasma cells, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II+ antigen-pr esenting cells and CD14(+) monocytes, as well as the expression of endothel ial addressins in normal human ectocervical and vaginal mucosa. T cells wer e clustered in a distinct band beneath the epithelium and were also dispers ed in the epithelium and the lamina propria, whereas CD38(+) plasma cells w ere present only in the lamina propria. MHC class II+ cells were numerous i n the lamina propria and in the epithelium, where they morphologically rese mbled dendritic cells. Lymphoid aggregates containing CD19(+) and CD20(+) B cells as well as CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were also found in the ce rvix. The mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) was not exp ressed on the vascular endothelium in the cervical or vaginal mucosa. In co ntrast, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion prote in-1 (VAP-1) and P-selectin were expressed in all tissue samples, and vascu lar cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin were found in four of seven samples. We conclude that the distribution of leucocytes and adhesion molecules is very similar in the ecto-cervical and the vaginal mucosa and that the regulation of lymphocyte homing to the genital tract is different from that seen in the intestine. Our results also clearly suggest that the leucocytes are not randomly scattered in the tissue but organized in a dist inct pattern.