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Hetemäki I, Saari V, Yohannes DA, Holopainen E, Holster T, Jokiranta S, Mäyränpää MI, Virtanen S, Mäkitie O, Kekäläinen E, Laakso S. Increased type 1 inflammation in gynecologic cervicovaginal samples in patients with APS-1. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:1736-1742. [PMID: 38395084 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inborn errors of immunity offer important insights into mucosal immunity. In autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 (APS-1), chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis has been ascribed to neutralizing IL-17 autoantibodies. Recent evidence implicates excessive T-cell IFN-γ secretion and ensuing epithelial barrier disruption in predisposition to candidiasis, but these results remain to be replicated. Whether IL-17 paucity, increased type I inflammation, or their combination underlies susceptibility to chronic mucocutaneus candidiasis in APS-1 is debated. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to characterize the immunologic features in the cervicovaginal mucosa of females with APS-1. METHODS Vaginal fluid was collected with a flocked swab from 17 females with APS-1 and 18 controls, and cytokine composition was analyzed using Luminex (Luminex Corporation, Austin, Tex). Cervical cell samples were obtained with a cervix brush from 6 patients and 6 healthy controls and subjected to transcriptome analysis. RESULTS The vaginal fluid samples from patients with APS-1 had IFN-γ concentrations comparable to those of the controls (2.6 vs 2.4 pg/mL) but high concentrations of the TH1 chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 (1094 vs 110 pg/mL [P < .001] and 4033 vs 273 pg/mL [P = .001], respectively), whereas the IL-17 levels in the samples from the 2 groups were comparable (28 vs 8.8 pg/mL). RNA sequencing of the cervical cells revealed upregulation of pathways related to mucosal inflammation and cell death in the patients with APS-1. CONCLUSION Excessive TH1 cell response appears to underlie disruption of the mucosal immune responses in the genital tract of patients with APS-1 and may contribute to susceptibility to candidiasis in the genital tract as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iivo Hetemäki
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Viivi Saari
- Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dawit A Yohannes
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elina Holopainen
- Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tiina Holster
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Jokiranta
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko I Mäyränpää
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Virtanen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Mäkitie
- Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet and Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eliisa Kekäläinen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Saila Laakso
- Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Research Program for Clinical and Molecular Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
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Pathare ADS, Saare M, Meltsov A, Lawarde A, Modhukur V, Kalinina A, Sekavin A, Kukushkina V, Karro H, Salumets A, Peters M. The cervical transcriptome changes during the menstrual cycle but does not predict the window of implantation. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1224919. [PMID: 37519341 PMCID: PMC10375708 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1224919] [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: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The expression of genes in female reproductive organs is influenced by the cyclic changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. While the molecular changes in the endometrium that facilitate embryo implantation have been extensively studied, there is limited knowledge about the impact of the menstrual cycle on cervical cells. Cervical cells can be easily and routinely collected using a cytobrush during gynecological examination, offering a standardized approach for diagnostic testing. In this study we investigated how the transcriptome of cervical cells changes during the menstrual cycle and assessed the utility of these cells to determine endometrial receptivity. Methods Endocervical cells were collected with cytobrushes from 16 healthy women at different menstrual cycle phases in natural cycles and from four women undergoing hormonal replacement cycles. RNA sequencing was applied to gain insight into the transcriptome of cervical cells. Results Transcriptome analysis identified four differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between early- and mid-secretory samples, suggesting that the transcriptome of cervical cells does not change significantly during the opening of the implantation window. The most differences appeared during the transition to the late secretory phase (2136 DEGs) before the onset of menstruation. Cervical cells collected during hormonal replacement cycles showed 1899 DEGs enriched in immune system processes. Conclusions The results of our study suggested that cervical cells undergo moderate transcriptomic changes throughout the menstrual cycle; however, these changes do not reflect the gene expression pattern of endometrial tissue and offer little or no potential for endometrial receptivity diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amruta D. S. Pathare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Merli Saare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alvin Meltsov
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Ankita Lawarde
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vijayachitra Modhukur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Aire Sekavin
- Women’s Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Helle Karro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Women’s Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maire Peters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
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Bick AJ, Avenant C, Tomasicchio M, van der Spuy Z, Hapgood JP. Increased HIV-1 infection in PBMCs treated in vitro with menstrual cycle phase hormones or medroxyprogesterone acetate likely occurs via different mechanisms. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13643. [PMID: 36302121 PMCID: PMC9884997 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Both luteal phase progesterone (P4) levels and use of the intramuscular (IM) injectable progestin-only contraceptive depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM) have been linked to increased S/HIV acquisition in animal, clinical and in vitro models. Several plausible mechanisms could explain MPA-induced HIV-1 acquisition while those for the luteal phase are underexplored. METHOD OF STUDY Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated with P4 and estrogen at concentrations mimicking the luteal phase, follicular phase or with levels of MPA mimicking peak serum levels in DMPA-IM users. Cells were infected with an R5-tropic infectious molecular clone and HIV-1 infection was measured. A role for the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was investigated using the GR/PR antagonist RU486. CCR5 protein levels and activation status, assessed by levels of the activation marker CD69, were measured by flow cytometry after treatment in vitro and in PBMCs from naturally-cycling women or DMPA-IM users. RESULTS Both MPA and luteal phase hormones significantly increased HIV-1 infection in vitro. However, MPA but not luteal phase hormones increased the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio, CCR5 protein expression on CD4+ T cells and increased expression of the activation marker CD69. The GR is involved in MPA-induced, but not luteal phase hormone-induced increased HIV-1 infection. In DMPA-IM users, the frequency of CCR5-expressing CD3+ and CD8+ cells was higher than for women in the luteal phase. CONCLUSIONS MPA increases HIV-1 infection in a manner different from that of luteal phase hormones, most likely involving the GR and at least in part changes in the frequency and/or expression of CCR5 and CD69.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis J. Bick
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Chanel Avenant
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michele Tomasicchio
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and UCT Lung Institute, South Africa.,South African MRC Centre for the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zephne van der Spuy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janet P. Hapgood
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town South Africa.,Corresponding author:
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Abril-Parreño L, Krogenæs AK, Druart X, Cormican P, Fair S, Meade KG. Cervical immune activation during the luteal phase may compromise subsequent trans-cervical ram sperm transport. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:967-976. [PMID: 35766421 PMCID: PMC9562110 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, cervical artificial insemination using frozen–thawed semen yields low pregnancy rates. The only exception to this is in Norway, where vaginal insemination with frozen–thawed semen yields pregnancy rates in excess of 60% and which has been attributed to the specific ewe breed used. Our previous work demonstrated differences in cervical gene expression at the follicular phase of the estrous cycle in ewe breeds with known differences in pregnancy rates. In this study, we characterized the cervical transcriptome of the same ewe breeds [Suffolk, Belclare, Fur, and Norwegian White Sheep (NWS)] during the luteal phase, as an optimal environment at the luteal phase could better prepare the cervix for sperm migration through the cervix at the subsequent follicular phase. High-quality RNA extracted from postmortem cervical tissue was analyzed by RNA sequencing. After stringent filtering, 1051, 1924, and 611 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the low-fertility Suffolk breed compared with Belclare, Fur, and NWS, respectively. Gene ontology analysis identified increased humoral adaptive immune response pathways in Suffolk. Increased expression of multiple immune genes supports the presence of an active immune response in the cervix of Suffolk ewes, which differentiates them significantly from the other three ewe breeds. Inflammatory pathways were upregulated in the Suffolk, resulting in higher expression of the potent pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines indicate unresolved inflammation in the cervix of the low-fertility Suffolk breed that could contribute to reduced cervical sperm transport in the next follicular phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Abril-Parreño
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering. University of Limerick, V94 T9PX, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Anette Kristine Krogenæs
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 5003 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Xavier Druart
- UMR-PRC, INRA-85, Université de Tours, IFCE, Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | - Paul Cormican
- Animal & Bioscience Research Department, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, C15 PW93, Grange, Ireland
| | - Sean Fair
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Biomaterials Research Cluster, Bernal Institute, Faculty of Science and Engineering. University of Limerick, V94 T9PX, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Kieran G Meade
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 W6F6, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Verma N, Mukhopadhyay S, Barnable P, Plagianos MG, Teleshova N. Estradiol inhibits HIV-1 BaL infection and induces CFL1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and endocervical mucosa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6165. [PMID: 35418661 PMCID: PMC9008051 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10163-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
An inhibitory effect of estradiol (E2) on HIV-1 infection was suggested by several reports. We previously identified increased gene expression of actin-binding protein cofilin 1 (CFL1) in endocervix in the E2-dominated proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Actin cytoskeleton has an integral role in establishing and spreading HIV-1 infection. Herein, we studied in vitro effects of E2 on HIV-1 infection and on CFL1 expression to gain insight into the mechanism of HIV-1 inhibition by E2. E2 dose-dependently inhibited HIV-1BaL infection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and endocervix. In PBMCs and endocervix, E2 increased protein expression of total CFL1 and phosphorylated CFL1 (pCFL1) and pCFL1/CFL1 ratios. LIMKi3, a LIM kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor, abrogated the phenotype and restored infection in both PBMCs and endocervix; inhibited E2-induced expression of total CFL1, pCFL1; and decreased pCFL1/CFL1 ratios. Knockdown of CFL1 in PBMCs also abrogated the phenotype and partially restored infection. Additional analysis of soluble mediators revealed decreased concentrations of pro-inflammatory chemokines CXCL10 and CCL5 in infected tissues incubated with E2. Our results suggest a link between E2-mediated anti-HIV-1 activity and expression of CFL1 in PBMCs and endocervical mucosa. The data support exploration of cytoskeletal signaling pathway targets for the development of prevention strategies against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Verma
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - S Mukhopadhyay
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - P Barnable
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - M G Plagianos
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - N Teleshova
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave., New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Teleshova N, Keller MJ, Fernández Romero JA, Friedland BA, Creasy GW, Plagianos MG, Ray L, Barnable P, Kizima L, Rodriguez A, Cornejal N, Melo C, Cruz Rodriguez G, Mukhopadhyay S, Calenda G, Sinkar SU, Bonnaire T, Wesenberg A, Zhang S, Kleinbeck K, Palmer K, Alami M, O’Keefe BR, Gillevet P, Hur H, Liang Y, Santone G, Fichorova RN, Kalir T, Zydowsky TM. Results of a phase 1, randomized, placebo-controlled first-in-human trial of griffithsin formulated in a carrageenan vaginal gel. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261775. [PMID: 35051209 PMCID: PMC8775213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is dominated by clinical therapeutic antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. Griffithsin (GRFT) is a non-ARV lectin with potent anti-HIV activity. GRFT’s preclinical safety, lack of systemic absorption after vaginal administration in animal studies, and lack of cross-resistance with existing ARV drugs prompted its development for topical HIV PrEP. We investigated safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and immunogenicity of PC-6500 (0.1% GRFT in a carrageenan (CG) gel) in healthy women after vaginal administration. This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, double-blind first-in-human phase 1 study enrolled healthy, HIV-negative, non-pregnant women aged 24–45 years. In the open label period, all participants (n = 7) received single dose of PC-6500. In the randomized period, participants (n = 13) were instructed to self-administer 14 doses of PC-6500 or its matching CG placebo (PC-535) once daily for 14 days. The primary outcomes were safety and PK after single dose, and then after 14 days of dosing. Exploratory outcomes were GRFT concentrations in cervicovaginal fluids, PD, inflammatory mediators and gene expression in ectocervical biopsies. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02875119. No significant adverse events were recorded in clinical or laboratory results or histopathological evaluations in cervicovaginal mucosa, and no anti-drug (GRFT) antibodies were detected in serum. No cervicovaginal proinflammatory responses and no changes in the ectocervical transcriptome were evident. Decreased levels of proinflammatory chemokines (CXCL8, CCL5 and CCL20) were observed. GRFT was not detected in plasma. GRFT and GRFT/CG in cervicovaginal lavage samples inhibited HIV and HPV, respectively, in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion. These data suggest GRFT formulated in a CG gel is a safe and promising on-demand multipurpose prevention technology product that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Teleshova
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Marla J. Keller
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - José A. Fernández Romero
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
- Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Barbara A. Friedland
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - George W. Creasy
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Marlena G. Plagianos
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Laurie Ray
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States of America
| | - Patrick Barnable
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Larisa Kizima
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Aixa Rodriguez
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Nadjet Cornejal
- Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Claudia Melo
- Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gearoff Cruz Rodriguez
- Science Department, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sampurna Mukhopadhyay
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Giulia Calenda
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shweta U. Sinkar
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Thierry Bonnaire
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Asa Wesenberg
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Shimin Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kyle Kleinbeck
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kenneth Palmer
- University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Mohcine Alami
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Barry R. O’Keefe
- Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Molecular Targets Program, Center for Cancer Research and Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Patrick Gillevet
- George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Hong Hur
- Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yupu Liang
- Rockefeller University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Gabriela Santone
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Tamara Kalir
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Thomas M. Zydowsky
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
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Gokavi J, Sadawarte S, Shelke A, Kulkarni-Kale U, Thakar M, Saxena V. Inhibition of miR-155 Promotes TGF-β Mediated Suppression of HIV Release in the Cervical Epithelial Cells. Viruses 2021; 13:v13112266. [PMID: 34835072 PMCID: PMC8624372 DOI: 10.3390/v13112266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
TGF-β has been shown to play a differential role in either restricting or aiding HIV infection in different cell types, however its role in the cervical cells is hitherto undefined. Among females, more than 80% of infections occur through heterosexual contact where cervicovaginal mucosa plays a critical role, however the early events during the establishment of infection at female genital mucosa are poorly understood. We earlier showed that increased TGF-β level has been associated with cervical viral shedding in the HIV infected women, however a causal relationship could not be examined. Therefore, here we first established an in vitro cell-associated model of HIV infection in the cervical epithelial cells (ME-180) and demonstrated that TGF-β plays an important role as a negative regulator of HIV release in the infected cervical epithelial cells. Inhibition of miR-155 upregulated TGF-β signaling and mRNA expression of host restriction factors such as APOBEC-3G, IFI-16 and IFITM-3, while decreased the HIV release in ME-180 cells. To conclude, this is the first study to decipher the complex interplay between TGF-β, miR-155 and HIV release in the cervical epithelial cells. Collectively, our data suggest the plausible role of TGF-β in promoting HIV latency in cervical epithelial cells which needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyotsna Gokavi
- Division of Immunology and Serology, Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune 411026, India; (J.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Sharwari Sadawarte
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India; (S.S.); (A.S.); or (U.K.-K.)
| | - Anant Shelke
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India; (S.S.); (A.S.); or (U.K.-K.)
| | - Urmila Kulkarni-Kale
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India; (S.S.); (A.S.); or (U.K.-K.)
| | - Madhuri Thakar
- Division of Immunology and Serology, Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune 411026, India; (J.G.); (M.T.)
| | - Vandana Saxena
- Division of Immunology and Serology, Indian Council of Medical Research-National AIDS Research Institute, MIDC, Bhosari, Pune 411026, India; (J.G.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Hughes SM, Pandey U, Johnston C, Marrazzo J, Hladik F, Micks E. Impact of the menstrual cycle and ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel contraceptive vaginal ring on granulysin and other mucosal immune mediators. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13412. [PMID: 33641250 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Changes in sex hormones during the menstrual cycle and contraceptive vaginal ring (CVR) use influence immunity within the female genital tract, but the magnitude of these effects and their anatomical location are unclear. METHOD OF STUDY In a prospective study, 29 women were assessed at three-time points: follicular phase, luteal phase, and one month after initiation of the ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel CVR (NuvaRing®, Merck). We performed microarrays on endocervical cytobrushes and measured immune mediators in cervicovaginal fluid, adjusting for bacterial vaginosis and the presence of blood. We compared these results to public gene expression data from the fallopian tubes, endometrium, endo- and ectocervix, and vagina. RESULTS Immune-related gene expression in the endocervix and immune mediators in cervicovaginal fluid increased during CVR use versus both menstrual phases, and in the follicular versus luteal phase. The antimicrobial protein granulysin was high during CVR use, intermediate in the follicular phase, and nearly absent from the luteal phase. Re-analysis of public gene expression data confirmed increased immune-related gene expression in the endocervix during the follicular phase. However, in the fallopian tube, endometrium, and vagina, the follicular phase showed immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS Immune-related genes in the cervicovaginal tract were highest during CVR use, intermediate in the follicular phase, and lowest in the luteal phase. Granulysin is a potential biomarker of menstrual phase: Frequently detected in follicular samples, but rare in luteal. Lastly, immunological differences between the follicular and luteal phases vary throughout the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M Hughes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Urvashi Pandey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Christine Johnston
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jeanne Marrazzo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Florian Hladik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Elizabeth Micks
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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