Mucosal Immune System of the Human Genital Tract

In contrast to the pronounced dominance of secretory IgA over other immunoglobulin isotypes in human saliva, tears, milk, and gastrointestinal fluids, secretions of both female and male genital tracts contain more IgG than secretory IgA. Both IgG and IgA are derived, to a variable degree, from the s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 1999-05, Vol.179 (Supplement-3), p.S470-S474
Main Authors: Mestecky, Jiri, Fultz, Patricia N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS/HIV
Analysis of the immune response. Humoral and cellular immunity
Antibodies
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Fundamental immunology
Genitalia
Genitalia - immunology
HIV Antibodies - immunology
HIV Infections - immunology
Humans
Immune system
Immunity, Mucosal
Immunization
Immunobiology
Immunoglobulin A, Secretory - immunology
Immunoglobulin G - immunology
Immunoglobulin M - immunology
Immunoglobulins
Immunology
Male
Organs and cells involved in the immune response
Secretion
T lymphocytes
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - immunology
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic - virology
Vaccination
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Summary:In contrast to the pronounced dominance of secretory IgA over other immunoglobulin isotypes in human saliva, tears, milk, and gastrointestinal fluids, secretions of both female and male genital tracts contain more IgG than secretory IgA. Both IgG and IgA are derived, to a variable degree, from the systemic immunoglobulin pool as well as from local synthesis. The origin of IgG- and IgA-plasma cell precursors destined for the genital tract is unknown, but indirect evidence suggests that mucosal inductive sites localized in the rectum, small intestine, and especially in the nasal cavity contribute such precursors to the female genital tract. Several studies indicated that intranasal immunization of various species, including humans, was efficient at inducing antigen-specific antibody responses in the female genital tract; however, whether this route is also effective in males has not been explored.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1086/314806