Influence of Exogenous Reproductive Hormones on Specific Antibody Production in Genital Secretions after Vaginal Vaccination with Recombinant Cholera Toxin B Subunit in Humans

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenous reproductive hormones on the local and systemic production of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibodies after vaginal vaccination with recombinant cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Three groups of women using either progesterone-containing intrauterine devices (n ‫؍‬ 9), oral contraceptives (n ‫؍‬ 8), or no hormonal contraceptive methods (n ‫؍‬ 9) were vaginally immunized twice, 2 weeks apart. Cervical secretions, vaginal fluids, and serum were collected before and after vaccination.

CD4+ T‐cell immunity in the female genital tract is critically dependent on local mucosal immunization

“…immunization for local genital tract immunity. Several groups have reported robust local antibody immunity in the genital tract in both animals and humans [25,26]. However, why i.n.…”

Subunit Vaccine Delivery

“…The vaginal and nasal administration induced the IgA and IgG in the serum (Johansson et al 2001 ). A clinical trial conducted by Wassen et al ( 2006 ) compared local vaginal and oral vaccination of a whole cell/B subunit (CTB) oral cholera vaccine. Two groups of unimmunized volunteers received either an oral vaccine or a local vaccination applied vaginally.…”

Anticandidal Immunity and Vaginitis: Novel Opportunities for Immune Intervention

“…All these adoptive interventions are, however, more cumbersome and generally less predictable in terms of efficacy and side effects and thus are usually regarded with a lesser degree of acceptance by regulatory authorities (30). Moreover, a subunit vaccine is ideal under conditions where the subjects are already primed with the pathogen, as is the case here, also considering that the intravaginal route appears to be ideal for consistent IgA and IgG production in the cervicovaginal secretion (142). In this case, the vaccine formulation must take into account the required balance between the induction of antifungal immunity and tolerance at the mucosal level, which is always required for mucosal vaccines (41,124).…”

“…Enzymes of the secreted aspartic proteinase (Sap) family and a number of protein or glycoprotein adhesins are key players in Candida pathogenicity (19,39,48,68,73,74,102,123,132). Virulence expression is also promoted by the capacity of this fungus to form hyphae (i.e., long, apically growing threads, which also have potential immunoescape properties) (39,53,87,92,137,142). We hypothesized that the presence of such a "commensal" on the mucosal surface cannot be unnoticed or simply "tolerated" by the host; rather, humoral and cellular factors of both innate and adaptive immunity come into play to restrict fungus growth and neutralize its virulence (25,28).…”

“…These cells not only provide a mechanical barrier but also function as sentinels that recognize and process antigens, and they secrete a plethora of immune mediators (chemokines, cytokines, defensive peptides) which orchestrate innate immunity and regulate adaptive immunity (38,145). They are under the influence of sex hormones in a delicate balance which allows maintenance of immune surveillance against pathogens while providing the degree of immune tolerance needed to accept semen and a fetus (78,142). In particular, human vaginal EC have been shown to possess intrinsic anti-Candida activity which was not influenced by the menstrual cycle but was lower in RVVC patients than in healthy subjects (4,65).…”