Expression Profiles of Antimicrobial Peptides in the Genital Tract of Women Using Progesterone Intrauterine Devices Versus Combined Oral Contraceptives
Corresponding Author
Andrea Introini
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
These authors contributed equally to this article.Correspondence
Andrea Introini, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:01, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorTove Kaldensjö
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
These authors contributed equally to this article.Search for more papers by this authorTaha Hirbod
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Röhl
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorAnnelie Tjernlund
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorSonia Andersson
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorKristina Broliden
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Andrea Introini
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
These authors contributed equally to this article.Correspondence
Andrea Introini, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:01, Karolinska University Hospital, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorTove Kaldensjö
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
These authors contributed equally to this article.Search for more papers by this authorTaha Hirbod
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorMaria Röhl
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorAnnelie Tjernlund
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorSonia Andersson
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorKristina Broliden
Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Problem
Sex hormones can influence the immune defenses of the female genital tract (FGT) and its susceptibility to infections. Here we investigated the effect of different hormonal contraceptives on the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in different compartments of the female genital mucosa (FGM), secretions and tissue.
Method of study
Cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) and ectocervical tissue samples obtained from women using progesterone intrauterine devices (pIUD) (n = 23) and combined oral contraceptives (COC) (n = 23) were analyzed for the expression and in situ localization of HNP1-3, BD-2, LL-37, SLPI and trappin-2 by ELISA, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
Results
Women using COC had significantly lower mRNA levels of BD-2 and trappin-2 in ectocervical tissue than pIUD users. The two groups showed no differences in CVS concentration, as well as similar in situ expression patterns in ectocervical tissue, of all five AMPs.
Conclusions
The use of hormonal contraceptives influences AMP expression differently in genital secretions compared to ectocervical tissue. This suggests that the impact of sex hormones on local immune defenses varies in different compartments of the FGM, and likely in different locations across the FGT.
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