TY - JOUR
T1 - Female genital tract secretions inhibit herpes simplex virus infection
T2 - Correlation with soluble mucosal immune mediators and impact of hormonal contraception
AU - Shust, Gail F.
AU - Cho, Sylvia
AU - Kim, Mimi
AU - Madan, Rebecca P.
AU - Guzman, Esmeralda M.
AU - Pollack, Margaret
AU - Epstein, Julia
AU - Cohen, Hillel W.
AU - Keller, Marla J.
AU - Herold, Betsy C.
PY - 2010/2
Y1 - 2010/2
N2 - Problem: Female genital tract secretions inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, however, the intra- and inter-subject variability, contribution of specific mediators, and impact of reproductive hormones have not been defined. Method of study: Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) (n = 89) obtained from nine cyclers and seven women on hormonal contraception (HC), who completed between three and eight weekly visits, were examined for anti-herpes simplex virus activity and concentrations of mediators. Results: The CVL inhibited HSV infection by a mean value of approximately 57% during the follicular or luteal phase, but only by 36% in hormonal contraceptive users. Human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3) (P = 0.03), IL-8 (P = 0.003), lactoferrin (P = 0.005), lysozyme (P = 0.003), IgA (P = 0.002), and IgG (P = 0.02) correlated with antiviral activity. Intra-subject and inter-subject variability was observed, suggesting that factors other than hormones contribute to innate defense. Conclusion: Endogenous antimicrobial activity may provide a biomarker of healthy mucosal immunity and may be reduced in the setting of HC. However, larger prospective studies are needed.
AB - Problem: Female genital tract secretions inhibit herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, however, the intra- and inter-subject variability, contribution of specific mediators, and impact of reproductive hormones have not been defined. Method of study: Cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) (n = 89) obtained from nine cyclers and seven women on hormonal contraception (HC), who completed between three and eight weekly visits, were examined for anti-herpes simplex virus activity and concentrations of mediators. Results: The CVL inhibited HSV infection by a mean value of approximately 57% during the follicular or luteal phase, but only by 36% in hormonal contraceptive users. Human neutrophil peptides 1-3 (HNP1-3) (P = 0.03), IL-8 (P = 0.003), lactoferrin (P = 0.005), lysozyme (P = 0.003), IgA (P = 0.002), and IgG (P = 0.02) correlated with antiviral activity. Intra-subject and inter-subject variability was observed, suggesting that factors other than hormones contribute to innate defense. Conclusion: Endogenous antimicrobial activity may provide a biomarker of healthy mucosal immunity and may be reduced in the setting of HC. However, larger prospective studies are needed.
KW - Genital herpes
KW - Microbicides
KW - Mucosal immunity
KW - Reproductive hormones
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00768.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2009.00768.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 20015330
AN - SCOPUS:73949143582
SN - 1046-7408
VL - 63
SP - 110
EP - 119
JO - American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
JF - American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
IS - 2
ER -