文章基本信息

标题：The impact of cervical cytobrush sampling on cervico-vaginal immune parameters and microbiota relevant to HIV susceptibility
本地全文：下载
作者：A. Mohammadi ; S. Bagherichimeh ; M. C. Perry 等
期刊名称：Scientific Reports
电子版ISSN：2045-2322
出版年度：2020
卷号：10
期号：1
页码：1-10
DOI：10.1038/s41598-020-65544-6
出版社：Springer Nature
摘要：The immunology and microbiota of the female genital tract (FGT) are key determinants of HIV susceptibility. Cervical cytobrush sampling is a relatively non-invasive method permitting the longitudinal assessment of endocervical immune cells, but effects on FGT immunology are unknown. Blood, cervico-vaginal secretions and cervical cytobrushes were collected from sexually transmitted infection (STI)-free women at baseline and after either 6 hours or 48 hours. Endocervical immune cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry, and pro-inflammatory cytokines by multiplex ELISA. The density of Lactobacillus species and key bacterial vaginosis-associated bacterial taxa were determined by qPCR. Paired changes were assessed before and after cytobrush sampling. After 6 hours there were significant increases in CD4 T cell, antigen presenting cell (APC) and neutrophil numbers; APC elevations persisted at 48 hours, while neutrophil and CD4 T cell numbers returned to baseline. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were increased at 6 hours and returned to baseline by 48 hours. No significant changes were observed in the absolute abundance of Lactobacillus species or BV-associated bacteria at either time point. Overall, cytobrush sampling altered genital immune parameters at 6 hours, but only APC number increases persisted at 48 hours. This should be considered in longitudinal analyses of FGT immunology.