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Elliott Williams M, Hardnett FP, Sheth AN, Wein AN, Li ZRT, Radzio-Basu J, Dinh C, Haddad LB, Collins EMB, Ofotokun I, Antia R, Scharer CD, Garcia-Lerma JG, Kohlmeier JE, Swaims-Kohlmeier A. The menstrual cycle regulates migratory CD4 T-cell surveillance in the female reproductive tract via CCR5 signaling. Mucosal Immunol 2024; 17:41-53. [PMID: 37866719 PMCID: PMC10990418 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite their importance for immunity against sexually transmitted infections, the composition of female reproductive tract (FRT) memory T-cell populations in response to changes within the local tissue environment under the regulation of the menstrual cycle remains poorly defined. Here, we show that in humans and pig-tailed macaques, the cycle determines distinct clusters of differentiation 4 T-cell surveillance behaviors by subsets corresponding to migratory memory (TMM) and resident memory T cells. TMM displays tissue-itinerant trafficking characteristics, restricted distribution within the FRT microenvironment, and distinct effector responses to infection. Gene pathway analysis by RNA sequencing identified TMM-specific enrichment of genes involved in hormonal regulation and inflammatory responses. FRT T-cell subset fluctuations were discovered that synchronized to cycle-driven CCR5 signaling. Notably, oral administration of a CCR5 antagonist drug blocked TMM trafficking. Taken together, this study provides novel insights into the dynamic nature of FRT memory CD4 T cells and identifies the menstrual cycle as a key regulator of immune surveillance at the site of STI pathogen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elliott Williams
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Felica P Hardnett
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anandi N Sheth
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alexander N Wein
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Zheng-Rong Tiger Li
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jessica Radzio-Basu
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Chuong Dinh
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lisa B Haddad
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth M B Collins
- Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Igho Ofotokun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rustom Antia
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Christopher D Scharer
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J Gerardo Garcia-Lerma
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jacob E Kohlmeier
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alison Swaims-Kohlmeier
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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