scholarly journals Human Cervical Epithelial Cells Release Antiviral Factors and Inhibit HIV Replication in Macrophages

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xi-Qiu Xu ◽  
Le Guo ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Hang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Poly I:C ◽  
Human Macrophage ◽  
Oligoadenylate Synthetase ◽  
Hiv Inhibition ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells

The female reproductive tract is a major site of HIV sexual transmission. We here examined whether human cervical epithelial cells (HCEs) can be immunologically activated and produce antiviral factors against HIV. We demonstrated that HCEs (End1/E6E7 cells) possess the functional toll-like receptor (TLR)3 signaling system, which could be activated by Poly I:C and induce multiple cellular HIV restriction factors. The treatment of primary human macrophages with supernatant (SN) from TLR3-activated End1/E6E7 cell cultures resulted in HIV inhibition. This SN-mediated HIV inhibition was mainly through the induction of interferons (IFN)-β and IFN-λs, as the antibodies to IFN-β or IFN-λs receptor could effectively block the SN-mediated anti-HIV effect. Further studies showed that the incubation of macrophages with SN from the activated cervical epithelial cell cultures induced the expression of a number of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), including IFN-stimulated gene (ISG15), ISG56, 2′, 5′-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS 1), OAS 2, Myxovirus Resistance A (MxA), MxB, and Guanylate-binding protein 5 (GBP5). In addition, TLR3-activated cells produced the CC chemokines [regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), Human macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha (MIP-1α), MIP-1β] the ligands of HIV entry co-receptor CCR5. These observations support further studies on HCEs as potentially crucial and alternative targets for immunological intervention to control and prevent HIV sexual transmission.

scholarly journals Exosomes Transport Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Factors from Human Cervical Epithelial Cells to Macrophages

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Xi-Qiu Xu ◽  
Biao Zhang ◽  
Le Guo ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Feng-Zhen Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells ◽  
Anti Hiv

The female reproductive tract (FRT) is a major site of HIV sexual transmission. As the outermost layer of cells in the FRT, the human cervical epithelial cells (HCEs) have direct contact with HIV or infected cells. Our early work showed that supernatant (SN) from TLR3-activated HCEs contain the antiviral factors that could potently inhibit HIV replication in macrophages. However, it remains to be determined how HCEs transport the anti-HIV factors to macrophages. This follow-up study examined the role of exosomes in HCE-mediated anti-HIV activity. We found that TLR3 activation of HCEs resulted in the release of exosomes that contained multiple IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs: <i>ISG56</i>, <i>OAS1</i>, <i>MxA,</i> and <i>Mx2</i>) and the HIV restriction microRNAs (miR-28, miR-29 family members, miR-125b, miR-150, miR-382, miR-223, miR-20a, and miR-198). The depletion of exosomes from SN of TLR3-activated HCEs diminished HCE-mediated anti-HIV activity in macrophages, indicating that HCE-derived exosomes are responsible for transporting the antiviral molecules to macrophages. These in vitro findings suggest a novel antiviral mechanism by which HCEs participate in the FRT innate immunity against HIV infection. Further in vivo studies are necessary in order to develop an exosome-based delivery system for prevention and treatment of HIV infection through sexual transmission.

scholarly journals Immunity in the Cervix: Interphase between Immune and Cervical Epithelial Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorgelina Barrios De Tomasi ◽  
Michael Makokha Opata ◽  
Chishimba Nathan Mowa
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Intercellular Junctions ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Post Menopause ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells ◽  
Immune Barriers

The cervix is divided into two morphologically and immunologically distinct regions, namely, (1) the microbe-laden ectocervix, which is proximal to the vagina, and (2) the “sterile” endocervix, which is distal to the uterus. The two cervical regions are bordered by the cervical transformation zone (CTZ), an area of changing cells, and are predominantly composed of cervical epithelial cells. Epithelial cells are known to play a crucial role in the initiation, maintenance, and regulation of innate and adaptive response in collaboration with immune cells in several tissue types, including the cervix, and their dysfunction can lead to a spectrum of clinical syndromes. For instance, epithelial cells block progression and neutralize or kill microorganisms through multiple ways. These (ways) include mounting physical (intercellular junctions, secretion of mucus) and immune barriers (pathogen-recognition receptor-mediated pathways), which collectively and ultimately lead to the release of specific chemokines and or cytokines. The cytokines subsequently recruit subsets of immune cells appropriate to a particular immune context and response, such as dendritic cells (DCs), T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells. The immune response, as most biological processes in the female reproductive tract (FRT), is mainly regulated by estrogen and progesterone and their (immune cells) responses vary during different physiological phases of reproduction, such as menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and post menopause. The purpose of the present review is to compare the immunological profile of the mucosae and immune cells in the ecto- and endocervix and their interphase during the different phases of female reproduction.

scholarly journals Poly(dA:dT) Suppresses HSV-2 Infection of Human Cervical Epithelial Cells Through RIG-I Activation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-Dan Shao ◽  
Feng-Zhen Meng ◽  
Yu Liu ◽  
Xi-Qiu Xu ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Rna Polymerase Iii ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Synthetic Analog ◽  
Oligoadenylate Synthetase ◽  
Inhibitory Protein ◽  
Mucosal Transmission ◽  
Resistance Protein ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells

Epithelial cells of the female reproductive tract (FRT) participate in the initial innate immunity against viral infections. Poly(dA:dT) is a synthetic analog of B form double-stranded (ds) DNA which can activate the interferon (IFN) signaling pathway-mediated antiviral immunity through DNA-dependent RNA Polymerase III. Here we investigated whether poly(dA:dT) could inhibit herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection of human cervical epithelial cells (End1/E6E7). We demonstrated that poly(dA:dT) treatment of End1/E6E7 cells could significantly inhibit HSV-2 infection. Mechanistically, poly(dA:dT) treatment of the cells induced the expression of the intracellular IFNs and the multiple antiviral IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs), including IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), IFN-stimulated gene 56 (ISG56), 2’-5’-oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1), 2’-5’-oligoadenylate synthetase 2 (OAS2), myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), myxovirus resistance protein B (MxB), virus inhibitory protein, endoplasmic reticulum-associated, IFN-inducible (Viperin), and guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5). Further investigation showed that the activation of RIG-I was largely responsible for poly(dA:dT)-mediated HSV-2 inhibition and IFN/ISGs induction in the cervical epithelial cells, as RIG-I knockout abolished the poly(dA:dT) actions. These observations demonstrate the importance for design and development of AT-rich dsDNA-based intervention strategies to control HSV-2 mucosal transmission in FRT.

scholarly journals Sexual Transmission of XMRV: A Potential Infection Route

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prachi Sharma ◽  
Kenneth A. Rogers ◽  
Suganthi Suppiah ◽  
Ross J. Molinaro ◽  
Nattawat Onlamoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Chronic Infection ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Seminal Vesicles ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Route Of Transmission ◽  
Intravenous Inoculation

Although XMRV dissemination in humans is a matter of debate, the prostate of select patients seem to harbor XMRV, which raises questions about its potential route of transmission. We established a model of infection in rhesus macaques inoculated with XMRV. In spite of the intravenous inoculation, all infected macaques exhibited readily detectable XMRV signal in the reproductive tract of all 4 males and 1 female during both acute and chronic infection stages. XMRV showed explosive growth in the acini of prostate during acute but not chronic infection. In seminal vesicles, epididymis, and testes, XMRV protein production was detected throughout infection in interstitial or epithelial cells. In the female monkey, epithelial cells in the cervix and vagina were also positive for XMRV gag. The ready detection of XMRV in the reproductive tract of male and female macaques infected intravenously suggests the potential for sexual transmission for XMRV.

scholarly journals Inflammatory Response Elicited by Ureaplasma parvum colonization in human cervical epithelial, stromal, and immune cells

Reproduction ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ourlad Alzeus Gaddi Tantengco ◽  
Talar Kechichian ◽  
Kathleen L Vincent ◽  
Richard B Pyles ◽  
Paul Mark B Medina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ureaplasma Parvum ◽  
Cervical Epithelial Cells ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
The Impact

Ureaplasma parvum is a commensal bacterium in the female reproductive tract but has been associated with pregnancy complications such as preterm prelabor rupture of membranes and preterm birth (PTB). However, the pathologic effects of U. parvum in the cervix, that prevents ascending infections during pregnancy, are still poorly understood. To determine the impact of U. parvum on the cervix, ectocervical (ecto) and endocervical (endo) epithelial and stromal cells were incubated with U. parvum. Macrophages were also tested as a proxy for cervical macrophages to determine the antigenicity of U. parvum. The effects of U. parvum, including influence on cell cycle and cell death, antimicrobial peptide production, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and inflammatory cytokine levels, were assessed. U. parvum colonized cervical epithelial and stromal cells 4 hours post-infection. Like uninfected control, U. parvum neither inhibited cell cycle progression and nor caused cell death in cervical epithelial and stromal cells. U. parvum increased the production of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) cathelicidin and human β-defensin 3 and exhibited weak signs of EMT evidenced by decreased cytokeratin 18 and increased vimentin expression in cervical epithelial cells. U. parvum induced a pro-inflammatory environment (cytokines) and increased MMP-9 in cervical epithelial cells but promoted pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in cervical stromal cells and macrophages. U. parvum may colonize the cervical epithelial layer, but induction of AMPs and anti-inflammatory response may protect the cervix and may prevent ascending infections that can cause PTB. These findings suggest that U. parvum is a weak inducer of inflammation in the cervix.

scholarly journals Effects of Tenofovir on Cytokines and Nucleotidases in HIV-1 Target Cells and the Mucosal Tissue Environment in the Female Reproductive Tract

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (11) ◽  
pp. 6444-6453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nabanita Biswas ◽  
Marta Rodriguez-Garcia ◽  
Zheng Shen ◽  
Sarah G. Crist ◽  
Jack E. Bodwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Biological Activity ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Immune Protection ◽  
Tnf Α

ABSTRACTTenofovir (TFV) is a reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in microbicide preexposure prophylaxis trials to prevent HIV infection. Recognizing that changes in cytokine/chemokine secretion and nucleotidase biological activity can influence female reproductive tract (FRT) immune protection against HIV infection, we tested the hypothesis that TFV regulates immune protection in the FRT. Epithelial cells, fibroblasts, CD4+T cells, and CD14+cells were isolated from the endometrium (Em), endocervix (Cx), and ectocervix (Ecx) following hysterectomy. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines (macrophage inflammatory protein 3α [MIP-3α], interleukin 8 [IL-8], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]), the expression levels of specific nucleotidases, and nucleotidase biological activities were analyzed in the presence or absence of TFV. TFV influenced mRNA and/or protein cytokines and nucleotidases in a cell- and site-specific manner. TFV significantly enhanced IL-8 and TNF-α secretion by epithelial cells from the Em and Ecx but not from the Cx. In contrast, in response to TFV, IL-8 secretion was significantly decreased in Em and Cx fibroblasts but increased with fibroblasts from the Ecx. When incubated with CD4+T cells from the FRT, TFV increased IL-8 (Em and Ecx) and TNF-α (Cx and Ecx) secretion levels. Moreover, when incubated with Em CD14+cells, TFV significantly increased MIP-3α, IL-8, and TNF-α secretion levels relative to those of the controls. In contrast, nucleotidase biological activities were significantly decreased by TFV in epithelial (Cx) and CD4+T cells (Em) but increased in fibroblasts (Em). Our findings indicate that TFV modulates proinflammatory cytokines, nucleotidase gene expression, and nucleotidase biological activity in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, CD4+T cells, and CD14+cells at distinct sites within the FRT.

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