RESUMEN
HIV exposed but uninfected infants (iHEU) display altered immunity and are at increased risk of infection. We previously reported that iHEU have decreased maternal microchimerism (MMc)-maternal cells transferred to the offspring in utero/during breastfeeding. We quantified MMc in T cell subpopulations in iHEU and unexposed infants (iHU) to determine whether a selective deficiency in MMc contributes to altered cellular immunity. Across all infants, MMc levels were highest in CD8+ T cells; however, the level of CD8+ T cell MMc was lower in iHEU versus iHU. In limited functional studies, we did not identify CMV-specific MMc during infant primary infection.
RESUMEN
Infants exposed to HIV but uninfected (iHEU) display altered cellular immunity and are at increased risk of infection through poorly understood mechanisms. We previously reported that iHEU have lower levels of maternal microchimerism (MMc), maternal cells transferred to the offspring in utero/during breastfeeding. We evaluated MMc levels in T cell subsets in iHEU and HIV unexposed infants (iHU) to determine whether a selective deficiency in MMc may contribute to altered cellular immunity. Across all infants, MMc levels were highest in CD8+ T cells; however, the level of MMc in the CD8 T cell subset was significantly lower in iHEU compared to iHU.
RESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones por VIH , Femenino , Humanos , Adulto , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Genitales Femeninos , Subgrupos de Linfocitos TRESUMEN
Microorganisms colonizing the human vaginal mucosa are associated with healthy states, as well as conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and infection-associated preterm birth. Here, we report complete genome sequences of 37 bacterial isolates from the human vaginal tract.