scholarly journals Immunization of the Female Genital Tract with a DNA-Based Vaccine

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 322-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie B. Livingston ◽  
Shan Lu ◽  
Harriet Robinson ◽  
Deborah J. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Vaginal Mucosa ◽  
Gene Gun ◽  
Local Immunity ◽  
Vaginal Secretions ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT Vaccines are being sought for contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. However, progress is slow in this area largely because of lack of information on induction of protective immune responses in genital tract mucosa. In this study, we investigated whether in vivo transfection with a model DNA-based antigen delivered by gene gun technology would induce an antibody response detectable in vaginal secretions. Female rats were immunized with plasmids encoding human growth hormone (HGH) under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV/HGH) via vaginal mucosa (V), Peyer’s patch (PP), and/or abdominal skin (S) routes. Localization of HGH in the target tissues demonstrated that all three sites can be transfected in vivo with pCMV/HGH. Vaginal tissues expressed roughly the same level of plasmid as skin. Antibodies to HGH were detectable in serum and vaginal secretions in rats immunized with pCMV/HGH. In the rats primed and boosted vaginally, vaginal immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibody titers to HGH were sustained for at least 14 weeks, whereas rats immunized via other routes and protocols (S/V, S/S, PP/PP, or PP/V) did not consistently sustain significant vaginal antibody titers beyond week 6. DNA-based immunizations administered by the gene gun may be an effective method of inducing local immunity in the female genital tract.

Spectral variations of laser-induced tissue emission during in vivo detection of malignancies in the female genital tract

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenios Koumantakis ◽  
Alexios Vasileiou ◽  
Antonios Makrigiannakis ◽  
Eberhard Unsöld ◽  
Theodore G. Papazoglou
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
In Vivo Detection ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals Effects of Yeast and Bacterial Commensals and Pathogens of the Female Genital Tract on the Transepithelial Electrical Resistance of HeLa Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassiliki Tsata ◽  
Aristea Velegraki ◽  
Anastasios Ioannidis ◽  
Cornelia Poulopoulou ◽  
Pantelis Bagos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Resistance ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Transepithelial Electrical Resistance ◽  
Host Immune System ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Selective Effect ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
Female Genital

Commensals of the human body can shift to a pathogenic phase when the host immune system is impaired. This study aims to investigate the effect of seven yeast and two bacterial commensals and opportunistic pathogens isolated from blood and the female genital tract on the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of human cervical epithelial cell cultures (HeLa). The pathogensCandida tropicalis,C. parapsilosis,C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. albicansandSaccharomyces cerevisiae, caused a significant decrease in TER as compared to the controls;Lactobacillusspp caused a significant increase in TERversusthe controls andEscherichia colihad no effect on the TER of the cell monolayers. The above data show thatCandidaspp.,S. cerevisiaeandLactobacillusspp. have a non-selective effect on the TER of HeLa cell monolayers. These results are consistent with thein vivonon-selective action of these microorganisms on the various human mucosal epithelia.

scholarly journals Immune Pathogenesis of Asymptomatic Chlamydia trachomatis Infections in the Female Genital Tract

1995 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 169-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven S. Witkin
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Fallopian Tubes ◽  
Female Genital

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections of the female genital tract, although frequently asymptomatic, are a major cause of fallopian-tube occlusion and infertility. Early stage pregnancy loss may also be due to an unsuspected and undetected CT infection. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that this organism can persist in the female genital tract in a form undetectable by culture. The mechanism of tubal damage as well as the rejection of an embryo may involve an initial immune sensitization to the CT 60 kD heat shock protein (HSP), followed by a reactivation of HSP-sensitized lymphocytes in response to the human HSP and the subsequent release of inflammatory cytokines. The periodic induction of human HSP expression by various microorganisms or by noninfectious mechanisms in the fallopian tubes of women sensitized to the CT HSP may eventually result in tubal scarring and occlusion. Similarly, an immune response to human HSP expression during the early stages of pregnancy may interfere with the immune regulatory mechanisms required for the maintenance of a semiallogeneic embryo.

scholarly journals Rabbit semen fertility after heterospermic insemination with spermatozoa of different capacitation time

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
P. YPSILANTIS (Π. ΥΨΗΛΑΝΤΗΣ) ◽  
Ph. SARATSIS (Φ. ΣΑΡΑΤΣΗΣ) ◽  
S. SAMOUILIDIS (Σ. ΣΑΜΟΥΗΛΙΔΗΣ)
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Sperm Capacitation ◽  
Group 4 ◽  
Female Genital

The influence of mixing heterogeneous sperm populations in rabbit semen fertility was studied. Eighty female rabbits which were divided in 4 groups (1,2,3 and 4) in = 20.) and 3 males of proven fertility were employed. The animals of group 1,2 and 3 were inseminated with semen from male A j, A2 and A3, respectively, while those of group 4 were inseminated with a mixture containing equal number of progressively motile spermatozoa from each of the above mentioned males ( A 1 + 2 + 3 ) (heterospermic insemination). Animals of each group were divided into 4 subgroups according to the insemination time (15,10, 5 and 0 hours prior the expected ovulation). In each group, differences were observed (P<0.05) between subgroups at the percentage of animals that delivered, indicating differences between males at the time and the duration of sperm capacitation in vivo. Based on the percentage of the animals that delivered and the litter size, semen fertility was improved after the application of heterospermic insemination, at all insemination times. This improvement was attributed to the extension of the time during which capacitated spermatozoa were present in the female genital tract due to the mixture of heterogeneous sperm populations of different capacitation time.

scholarly journals Sperm migration in the genital tract - in silico experiments identify key factors for reproductive success

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorin Diemer ◽  
Jens Hahn ◽  
Björn Goldenbogen ◽  
Karin Müller ◽  
Edda Klipp
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Male Gametes ◽  
Sperm Migration ◽  
Sperm Motion ◽  
Female Genital

Sperm migration in the female genital tract controls sperm selection and, therefore, reproductive success as male gametes are conditioned for fertilization while their number is dramatically reduced. Mechanisms underlying sperm migration are mostly unknown, since in vivo investigations are mostly unfeasible for ethical or practical reasons. By presenting a spatio-temporal model of the mammalian female genital tract combined with agent-based description of sperm motion and interaction as well as parameterizing it with bovine data, we offer an alternative possibility for studying sperm migration in silico. The model incorporates genital tract geometry as well as biophysical principles of sperm motion observed in vitro such as positive rheotaxis and thigmotaxis. This model for sperm migration from vagina to oviducts was successfully tested against in vivo data from literature. We found that physical sperm characteristics such as velocity and directional stability as well as sperm-fluid interactions and wall alignment are critical for success, i.e. sperms reaching the oviducts. Therefore, we propose that these identified sperm parameters should be considered in detail for conditioning sperm in artificial selection procedures since the natural processes are normally bypassed in reproductive in vitro technologies. The tremendous impact of mucus flow to support sperm accumulation in the oviduct highlights the importance of a species-specific optimum time window for artificial insemination regarding ovulation. Predictions from our extendable in silico experimental system will improve assisted reproduction in humans, endangered species, and livestock.

scholarly journals Progesterone effects on mouse sperm kinetics in conditions of viscosity

Reproduction ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 151 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-507 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Pérez-Cerezales ◽  
A P López-Cardona ◽  
A Gutiérrez-Adán
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Viscous Medium ◽  
Spatial Gradient ◽  
Progressive Movement ◽  
Viscous Media ◽  
Viscous Solutions ◽  
Female Genital ◽  
Opposite Response

The spermatozoa delivered to the female genital tract need to swim towards the oocyte through viscous secretions. Once close to the oocyte, the spermatozoa are guided by a gradient of progesterone (P4) and other unknown chemoattractants via a process known as chemotaxis. Using polyvinylpyrrolidone to establish the conditions of viscosity, we examined the response of mouse spermatozoa to P4. Herein, we show that in low-viscous media, P4 induces hyperactive-like motility whereby sperm show erratic trajectories and non-progressive movement. However, an opposite response is produced in viscous medium in that trajectories are linear and motility is more progressive and less erratic. Our observations provide a behavioural explanation for the chemotaxis of spermatozoa swimming under viscous conditions in a spatial gradient of the chemoattractant P4. They also highlight the importance of using viscous solutions to mimic in vivo conditions when analysing sperm behaviour in response to any stimulus. Reproduction (2016) 151 501–507

Increased level of interleukin-8 in female genital tract after HP eradication lines

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viacheslav Kravtsov ◽  
Tatiana Surovtceva ◽  
Maria Taame ◽  
Yuriy Grukhin ◽  
Natalia Kalinina
Keyword(s):  
Helicobacter Pylori ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Vaginal Mucosa ◽  
Vaginal Secretion ◽  
Helicobacter Pylori Eradication ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Post Menopause ◽  
Female Genital

: The study investigated the levels of cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α in vaginal secretion in a group of female patients with Helicobacter-associated acid-related diseases who were or were not treated with antibiotics against anti-Helicobacter therapy. It turned out that the secretory cytokine (chemokine) IL-8 is dramatically increased in the vaginal mucosa in patients treated with antibiotics, specifically in post-menopause women. Thus, we conclude that helicobacter pylori eradication treatment affects the immune status of the female genital tract.

scholarly journals Susceptibility of Chlamydia trachomatisto Chlorhexidine Gluconate Gel

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1726-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Lampe ◽  
L. M. Ballweber ◽  
W. E. Stamm
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Microtiter Plate ◽  
Chlorhexidine Gluconate ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Cell Monolayers ◽  
Topical Antimicrobial ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT To identify topical antimicrobial preparations which may be effective in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, we examined the activity of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) against Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydial elementary bodies were incubated with dilutions of CHG gel for various times from 0 to 120 min. An aliquot of each dilution was further diluted and was inoculated onto McCoy cell monolayers in individual wells in a 96-well microtiter plate. The cultures were incubated for 48 h, and the chlamydial inclusions were stained and counted. CHG gel diluted fourfold (0.0625% CHG) killed C. trachomatis serovar D, and CHG gel diluted eightfold (0.0313% CHG) killed serovar F immediately upon exposure. CHG gel diluted 16-fold (0.0156% CHG) killed serovar D, and CHG gel diluted 32-fold (0.0078% CHG) killed serovar F after 120 min of exposure. Alteration of the pH over the range of from 4 to 8 did not significantly affect its activity. The addition of 10% whole human blood decreased the CHG gel activity at 0 min but had no significant effect after 120 min of exposure. We conclude that CHG gel may be effective topically against C. trachomatis at concentrations that can be used and under conditions that are found in the female genital tract and that further studies of its antimicrobial efficacy and toxicity in vivo are warranted.

scholarly journals Opacity Proteins Increase Neisseria gonorrhoeae Fitness in the Female Genital Tract Due to a Factor under Ovarian Control

2010 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1629-1641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica G. Cole ◽  
Nanette B. Fulcher ◽  
Ann E. Jerse
Keyword(s):  
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Phase Variable ◽  
Ovariectomized Mice ◽  
Selection Pattern ◽  
Strain Fa1090 ◽  
Female Genital

ABSTRACT The neisserial opacity (Opa) proteins are a family of antigenically distinct outer membrane proteins that undergo phase-variable expression. Opa+ variants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain FA1090 are selected in a cyclical pattern from the lower genital tract of estradiol-treated mice. Here we show that cyclical recovery of Opa+ gonococci does not occur in ovariectomized mice; therefore, the reproductive cycle plays a role in the selection kinetics in vivo. As predicted by the selection pattern shown by wild-type gonococci, we demonstrated that a constitutive Opa-expressing strain was more fit than an Opa-deficient mutant in the early and late phases of infection. We found no evidence that Opa-mediated colonization selects for Opa+ variants during murine infection based on adherence assays with cultured murine epithelial cells. We also tested the hypothesis that complement selects for Opa protein expression during infection. Although some Opa+ variants of a serum-sensitive derivative of strain FA1090 were more resistant to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum, selection for Opa expression was not abrogated in C3-depleted mice. Finally, as previously reported, Opa+ gonococci were more sensitive to serine proteases. Thus, proteases or protease inhibitors may contribute to the observed in vivo selection pattern. We concluded that Opa proteins promote persistence of N. gonorrhoeae in the female genital tract and that opa gene phase variation allows gonococci to evade or capitalize upon unidentified host factors of the mammalian reproductive cycle. This work revealed an intimate interaction between pathogen and host and provides evidence that hormonally related factors shape bacterial adaptation.

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