The impact of cervical cytobrush sampling on cervico-vaginal immune parameters and microbiota relevant to HIV susceptibility

Sci Rep. 2020 May 22;10(1):8514. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65544-6.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology*
  • Cervix Uteri / microbiology
  • Cervix Uteri / virology
  • Cytokines / analysis
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Female
  • HIV / isolation & purification*
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • Humans
  • Microbiota / immunology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Specimen Handling / methods*
  • Vagina / immunology*
  • Vagina / microbiology
  • Vagina / virology
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / immunology*
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial / virology
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Cytokines

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