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Yount KS, Darville T. Immunity to Sexually Transmitted Bacterial Infections of the Female Genital Tract: Toward Effective Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:863. [PMID: 39203989 PMCID: PMC11359697 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12080863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) caused by bacterial pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Treponema pallidum present significant public health challenges. These infections profoundly impact reproductive health, leading to pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and increased susceptibility to other infections. Prevention measures, including antibiotic treatments, are limited by the often-asymptomatic nature of these infections, the need for repetitive and continual screening of sexually active persons, antibiotic resistance for gonorrhea, and shortages of penicillin for syphilis. While vaccines exist for viral STIs like human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV), there are no vaccines available for bacterial STIs. This review examines the immune responses in the female genital tract to these bacterial pathogens and the implications for developing effective vaccines against bacterial STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toni Darville
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
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2
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MacLean F, Tsegaye AT, Graham JB, Swarts JL, Vick SC, Potchen N, Talavera IC, Warrier L, Dubrulle J, Schroeder LK, Mar C, Thomas KK, Mack M, Sabo MC, Chohan BH, Ngure K, Mugo N, Lingappa JR, Lund JM. Bacterial vaginosis-driven changes in vaginal T cell phenotypes and their implications for HIV susceptibility. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.03.601916. [PMID: 39005354 PMCID: PMC11245000 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.03.601916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiome that is prevalent in reproductive-age women worldwide. Adverse outcomes associated with BV include an increased risk of sexually acquired Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), yet the immunological mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood. To investigate BV driven changes to cervicovaginal tract (CVT) and circulating T cell phenotypes, participants with or without BV provided vaginal tract (VT) and ectocervical (CX) tissue biopsies and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Immunofluorescence analysis of genital mucosal tissues revealed a reduced density of CD3+CD4+CCR5+ cells in the VT lamina propria of individuals with compared to those without BV (median 243.8 cells/mm2 BV- vs 106.9 cells/mm2 BV+, p=0.043). High-parameter flow cytometry of VT biopsies revealed an increased frequency in individuals with compared to those without BV of dysfunctional CD39+ conventional CD4+ T cells (Tconv) (median frequency 15% BV- vs 30% BV+, padj=0.0331) and tissue-resident CD69+CD103+ Tconv (median frequency 24% BV- vs 38% BV+, padj=0.0061), previously reported to be implicated in HIV acquisition and replication. Our data suggests that BV elicits diverse and complex VT T cell alterations and expands on potential immunological mechanisms that may promote adverse outcomes including HIV susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn MacLean
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Jessica B. Graham
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Jessica L. Swarts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Sarah C. Vick
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Nicole Potchen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Irene Cruz Talavera
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Lakshmi Warrier
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Julien Dubrulle
- Cellular Imaging Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Lena K. Schroeder
- Cellular Imaging Shared Resource, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, USA
| | - Corinne Mar
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | | | - Matthias Mack
- Department of Internal Medicine-Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Bhavna H. Chohan
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Virus Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kenneth Ngure
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nelly Mugo
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jairam R. Lingappa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Lund
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
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3
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Quinn Peters M, Domenjo-Vila E, Carlson M, Armistead B, Edlefsen PT, Gasper M, Dabee S, Whidbey C, Jaspan HB, Prlic M, Harrington WE. A non-invasive method to sample immune cells in the lower female genital tract using menstrual discs. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.16.567469. [PMID: 38370684 PMCID: PMC10871271 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.16.567469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
T cells in the human female genital tract (FGT) 2 are key mediators of susceptibility to and protection from infection, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There is a critical need for increased understanding of the distribution and activation of T cell populations in the FGT, but current sampling methods require a healthcare provider and are expensive, limiting the ability to study these populations longitudinally. To address these challenges, we have developed a method to sample immune cells from the FGT utilizing disposable menstrual discs which are non-invasive, self-applied, and low-cost. To demonstrate reproducibility, we sampled the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) 3 of healthy, reproductive-aged individuals using menstrual discs over three sequential days. CVF was processed for cervicovaginal cells, and high parameter flow cytometry was used to characterize immune populations. We identified large numbers of live, CD45+ leukocytes, as well as distinct populations of T cells and B cells. Within the T cell compartment, activation and suppression status of T cell subsets were consistent with previous studies of the FGT utilizing current approaches, including identification of both tissue resident and migratory populations. In addition, the T cell population structure was highly conserved across days within individuals but divergent across individuals. Our approach to sample immune cells in the FGT with menstrual discs will decrease barriers to participation and empower longitudinal sampling in future research studies.
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Peters MQ, Domenjo-Vila E, Carlson M, Armistead B, Edlefsen PT, Gasper M, Dabee S, Whidbey C, Jaspan HB, Prlic M, Harrington WE. A Noninvasive Method to Sample Immune Cells in the Lower Female Genital Tract Using Menstrual Discs. Immunohorizons 2024; 8:182-192. [PMID: 38386594 PMCID: PMC10916362 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
T cells in the human female genital tract (FGT) are key mediators of susceptibility to and protection from infection, including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There is a critical need for increased understanding of the distribution and activation of T cell populations in the FGT, but current sampling methods require a healthcare provider and are expensive, limiting the ability to study these populations longitudinally. To address these challenges, we have developed a method to sample immune cells from the FGT utilizing disposable menstrual discs which are noninvasive, self-applied, and low in cost. To demonstrate reproducibility, we sampled the cervicovaginal fluid of healthy, reproductive-aged individuals using menstrual discs across 3 sequential days. Cervicovaginal fluid was processed for cervicovaginal cells, and high-parameter flow cytometry was used to characterize immune populations. We identified large numbers of live, CD45+ leukocytes, as well as distinct populations of T cells and B cells. Within the T cell compartment, activation and suppression status of T cell subsets were consistent with previous studies of the FGT utilizing current approaches, including identification of both tissue-resident and migratory populations. In addition, the T cell population structure was highly conserved across days within individuals but divergent across individuals. Our approach to sample immune cells in the FGT with menstrual discs will decrease barriers to participation and empower longitudinal sampling in future research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Quinn Peters
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Eva Domenjo-Vila
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Marc Carlson
- Research Scientific Computing, Enterprise Analytics, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Blair Armistead
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Paul T. Edlefsen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Melanie Gasper
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Smritee Dabee
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Martin Prlic
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Whitney E. Harrington
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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5
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Lund JM, Hladik F, Prlic M. Advances and challenges in studying the tissue-resident T cell compartment in the human female reproductive tract. Immunol Rev 2023; 316:52-62. [PMID: 37140024 PMCID: PMC10524394 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM ) are considered to be central to maintaining mucosal barrier immunity and tissue homeostasis. Most of this knowledge stems from murine studies, which provide access to all organs. These studies also allow for a thorough assessment of the TRM compartment for each tissue and across tissues with well-defined experimental and environmental variables. Assessing the functional characteristics of the human TRM compartment is substantially more difficult; thus, notably, there is a paucity of studies profiling the TRM compartment in the human female reproductive tract (FRT). The FRT is a mucosal barrier tissue that is naturally exposed to a wide range of commensal and pathogenic microbes, including several sexually transmitted infections of global health significance. We provide an overview of studies describing T cells within the lower FRT tissues and highlight the challenges of studying TRM cells in the FRT: different sampling methods of the FRT greatly affect immune cell recovery, especially of TRM cells. Furthermore, menstrual cycle, menopause, and pregnancy affect FRT immunity, but little is known about changes in the TRM compartment. Finally, we discuss the potential functional plasticity of the TRM compartment during inflammatory episodes in the human FRT to maintain protection and tissue homeostasis, which are required to ensure reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Lund
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
| | - Florian Hladik
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
| | - Martin Prlic
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98109
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Dong M, Dong Y, Bai J, Li H, Ma X, Li B, Wang C, Li H, Qi W, Wang Y, Fan A, Han C, Xue F. Interactions between microbiota and cervical epithelial, immune, and mucus barrier. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1124591. [PMID: 36909729 PMCID: PMC9998931 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1124591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive tract harbours hundreds of bacterial species and produces numerous metabolites. The uterine cervix is located between the upper and lower parts of the female genital tract. It allows sperm and birth passage and hinders the upward movement of microorganisms into a relatively sterile uterus. It is also the predicted site for sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as Chlamydia, human papilloma virus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The healthy cervicovaginal microbiota maintains cervical epithelial barrier integrity and modulates the mucosal immune system. Perturbations of the microbiota composition accompany changes in microbial metabolites that induce local inflammation, damage the cervical epithelial and immune barrier, and increase susceptibility to STI infection and relative disease progression. This review examined the intimate interactions between the cervicovaginal microbiota, relative metabolites, and the cervical epithelial-, immune-, and mucus barrier, and the potent effect of the host-microbiota interaction on specific STI infection. An improved understanding of cervicovaginal microbiota regulation on cervical microenvironment homeostasis might promote advances in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for various STI diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yalan Dong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Junyi Bai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huanrong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaotong Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Bijun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Huiyang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenhui Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yingmei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Aiping Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Cha Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Cha Han, ; Fengxia Xue,
| | - Fengxia Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenic, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Cha Han, ; Fengxia Xue,
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7
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Marron K, Harrity C. Potential utility of a non-invasive menstrual blood immunophenotype analysis in reproductive medicine. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:RAF-22-0047. [PMID: 36173705 PMCID: PMC9641796 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Can a comprehensive flow cytometry panel be used to assess immunophenotype profiles in menstrual blood of patients experiencing reproductive failure and age matched controls of proven fertility? Methods 58 recurrent pregnancy loss and repeated implantation failure patients, along with 15 age matched controls of proven fertility, had menstrual blood samples obtained within the first 24 hours of the onset of menstruation to non-invasively assess the local immunophenotype. Using a comprehensive multi-parameter flow panel the lymphocyte sub-populations were described and compared. Results Relative to well established peripheral blood immunophenotyping values, distinct lymphocyte population differences were noted between the subgroups. The ratios of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were inverted relative to peripheral blood and uterine NK cells represented by CD56bright were distinctly visualised, emphasising the distinction of menstrual and peripheral blood. Relative to controls there were marked increases in CD3+ve T-cells (p=0.009), CD4:CD8 ratio (p=0.004), CD19 B-cells (p=0.026) and CD56dim NK's (p=0.002) in the reproductive failure cases. Conclusions Flow cytometric evaluation can provide a rapid and objective analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations in many forms of tissue and fluid. The findings show significant variations in cellular composition of immune cells indicating a distinct compartment, with differences between cases and controls. Immunological assessment of the menstrual blood immunophenotype, in clinically appropriate patients, may provide insight into the aetiology of adverse reproductive outcome, without the risks and inconveniences associated with a more invasive endometrial biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Conor Harrity
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Traxinger B, Vick SC, Woodward-Davis A, Voillet V, Erickson JR, Czartoski J, Teague C, Prlic M, Lund JM. Mucosal viral infection induces a regulatory T cell activation phenotype distinct from tissue residency in mouse and human tissues. Mucosal Immunol 2022; 15:1012-1027. [PMID: 35821289 PMCID: PMC9391309 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-022-00542-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) mediate immune homeostasis, yet also facilitate nuanced immune responses during infection, balancing pathogen control while limiting host inflammation. Recent studies have identified Treg populations in non-lymphoid tissues that are phenotypically distinct from Tregs in lymphoid tissues (LT), including performance of location-dependent roles. Mucosal tissues serve as critical barriers to microbes while performing unique physiologic functions, so we sought to identify distinct phenotypical and functional aspects of mucosal Tregs in the female reproductive tract. In healthy human and mouse vaginal mucosa, we found that Tregs are highly activated compared to blood or LT Tregs. To determine if this phenotype reflects acute activation or a general signature of vaginal tract (VT)-residency, we infected mice with HSV-2 to discover that VT Tregs express granzyme-B (GzmB) and acquire a VT Treg signature distinct from baseline. To determine the mechanisms that drive GzmB expression, we performed ex vivo assays to reveal that a combination of type-I interferons and interleukin-2 is sufficient for GzmB expression. Together, we highlight that VT Tregs are activated at steady state and become further activated in response to infection; thus, they may exert robust control of local immune responses, which could have implications for mucosal vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Traxinger
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah C Vick
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Valentin Voillet
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jami R Erickson
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julie Czartoski
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Candice Teague
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Martin Prlic
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Jennifer M Lund
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch, Seattle, WA, USA.
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9
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Xie G, Moron-Lopez S, Siegel DA, Yin K, Polos A, Cohen J, Greenblatt RM, Tien PC, Lee SA, Yukl SA, Roan NR. Common and Divergent Features of T Cells from Blood, Gut, and Genital Tract of Antiretroviral Therapy-Treated HIV + Women. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:1790-1801. [PMID: 35296537 PMCID: PMC8976750 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
T cells residing in mucosal tissues play important roles in homeostasis and defense against microbial pathogens. The gut and female reproductive tract (FRT) are both tolerogenic environments, but they differ in the kinds of foreign Ags they need to tolerate. How these different environments influence the properties of their T cells is poorly understood, but important for understanding women's health. We recruited antiretroviral therapy-suppressed women living with HIV who donated, within one visit, blood and tissue samples from the ileum, colon, rectosigmoid, endometrium, endocervix, and ectocervix. With these samples, we conducted 36-parameter cytometry by time of flight phenotyping of T cells. Although gut and FRT T cells shared features discriminating them from their blood counterparts, they also harbored features distinguishing them from one another. These included increased proportions of CD69+ T resident memory cells of the T effector memory phenotype, as well as preferential coexpression of CD69 and CD103, on the gut-derived cells. In contrast, CD69+CD103+ T resident memory CD8+ T cells from FRT, but not those from gut, preferentially expressed PD1. We further determined that a recently described population of CXCR4+ T inflammatory mucosal cells differentially expressed multiple other chemokine receptors relative to their blood counterparts. Our findings suggest that T cells resident in different tolerogenic mucosal sites take on distinct properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guorui Xie
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sara Moron-Lopez
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - David A Siegel
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
| | - Kailin Yin
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Anastasia Polos
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Jennifer Cohen
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Ruth M Greenblatt
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
| | - Phyllis C Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sulggi A Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
| | - Steven A Yukl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; and
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA
| | - Nadia R Roan
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, San Francisco, CA;
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
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10
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The human memory T cell compartment changes across tissues of the female reproductive tract. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:862-872. [PMID: 33953338 PMCID: PMC8225572 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00406-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Memory CD4 T cells in tissues fulfill numerous functions that are critical for local immune homeostasis and protection against pathogens. Previous studies have highlighted the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of circulating and tissue-resident memory CD4 T cells across different human tissues such as skin, lung, liver, and colon. Comparatively little is known in regard to memory CD4 T cells across tissues of the female reproductive tract (FRT). We examined CD4 T cells in donor-matched vaginal, ecto- and endocervical tissues, which differ in mucosal structure and exposure to external environmental stimuli. We hypothesized that this could be reflected by tissue-specific differences in the memory CD4 T cell compartment. We found differences in CD4 subset distribution across these tissues. Specifically, CD69+CD103+ CD4 T cells were significantly more abundant in vaginal than cervical tissues. In contrast, the transcriptional profiles of CD4 subsets were fairly conserved across FRT tissues. CD69+CD103+ CD4 T cells showed a TH17 bias independent of tissue niche. Our data suggest that FRT tissues affect T cell subset distribution but have limited effects on the transcriptome of each subset. We discuss the implications for barrier immunity in the FRT.
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11
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Davé VA, Cardozo-Ojeda EF, Mair F, Erickson J, Woodward-Davis AS, Koehne A, Soerens A, Czartoski J, Teague C, Potchen N, Oberle S, Zehn D, Schiffer JT, Lund JM, Prlic M. Cervicovaginal Tissue Residence Confers a Distinct Differentiation Program upon Memory CD8 T Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:2937-2948. [PMID: 34088770 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2100166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells (CD8 TRM) are critical for maintaining barrier immunity. CD8 TRM have been mainly studied in the skin, lung and gut, with recent studies suggesting that the signals that control tissue residence and phenotype are highly tissue dependent. We examined the T cell compartment in healthy human cervicovaginal tissue (CVT) and found that most CD8 T cells were granzyme B+ and TCF-1- To address if this phenotype is driven by CVT tissue residence, we used a mouse model to control for environmental factors. Using localized and systemic infection models, we found that CD8 TRM in the mouse CVT gradually acquired a granzyme B+, TCF-1- phenotype as seen in human CVT. In contrast to CD8 TRM in the gut, these CD8 TRM were not stably maintained regardless of the initial infection route, which led to reductions in local immunity. Our data show that residence in the CVT is sufficient to progressively shape the size and function of its CD8 TRM compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica A Davé
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - E Fabian Cardozo-Ojeda
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Florian Mair
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jami Erickson
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Amanda S Woodward-Davis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Amanda Koehne
- Comparative Pathology, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Andrew Soerens
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Julie Czartoski
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Candice Teague
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Nicole Potchen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Susanne Oberle
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Zehn
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Joshua T Schiffer
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; and
| | - Jennifer M Lund
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; .,Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Martin Prlic
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA; .,Graduate Program in Pathobiology, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.,Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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12
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DeJong CS, Maurice NJ, McCartney SA, Prlic M. Human Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in the Maternal-Fetal Interface. Lost Soldiers or Special Forces? Cells 2020; 9:cells9122699. [PMID: 33339211 PMCID: PMC7765601 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune system plays a critical role during pregnancy, but the specific mechanisms and immune cell function needed to support pregnancy remain incompletely understood. Despite decades of research efforts, it is still unclear how the immune system maintains tolerance of fetal-derived tissues, which include most cells of the placenta and of course the fetus itself, without forfeiting the ability to protect against harmful infections. T cells recognize antigen in the context of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) encoded proteins, but classical MHC class I and II expression are diminished in fetal-derived cells. Can T cells present at the maternal–fetal interface (MFI) protect these cells from infection? Here we review what is known in regard to tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells at the MFI. We mainly focus on how Trm cells can contribute to protection in the context of the unique features of the MFI, such as limited MHC expression as well as the temporary nature of the MFI, that are not found in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S. DeJong
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.S.D.); (N.J.M.)
| | - Nicholas J. Maurice
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.S.D.); (N.J.M.)
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stephen A. McCartney
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Martin Prlic
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; (C.S.D.); (N.J.M.)
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Takamura S. Divergence of Tissue-Memory T Cells: Distribution and Function-Based Classification. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2020; 12:cshperspect.a037762. [PMID: 32816841 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a037762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) comprise the majority of memory cells in nonlymphoid tissues and play a predominant role in immunity at barrier surfaces. A better understanding of Trm cell maintenance and function is essential for the development of vaccines that confer frontline protection. However, it is currently challenging to precisely distinguish Trm cells from other T cells, and this has led to confusion in the literature. Here we highlight gaps in our understanding of tissue memory and discuss recent advances in the classification of Trm cell subsets based on their distribution and functional characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiki Takamura
- Department of Immunology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka 589-8511, Japan
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