Innate immunity and disorders of the female reproductive tract

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections, and their associated sequelae, such as tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy and preterm labour, are a major worldwide health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis infection is thought to be the leading global cause of tubal infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. Preterm birth occurs in around 10% of all deliveries, and nearly 30% of preterm deliveries are associated with intrauterine infection. The mucosal innate immune system of the female reproductive tract has evolved to eliminate such sexually transmitted pathogens whilst maintaining its ability to accommodate specialized physiological functions that include menstruation, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy and parturition. The aim of this review was to describe the role and distribution of key mediators of the innate immune system, the natural antimicrobial peptides (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin and the defensins) and the pattern recognition toll-like receptors in the normal female reproductive tract and in the context of these pathological processes.

Fundamentos y Consideraciones de la Patología Endometrial Canina

“…Cabe considerar que la respuesta uterina a la presencia de bacterias se basa en gran medida en la inmunidad innata, y que los patrones moleculares asociados a patógenos (PAMP) sintetizados por los microorganismos, tales como lipopolisacáridos (LPS) para las bacterias Gram negativas, son reconocidos por los receptores tipo Toll (TLRs) de las células endometriales, iniciando una respuesta inflamatoria no específica con reclutamiento de células del sistema inmune, incluyendo los neutrófilos polimorfonucleares (PMN) (Horne et al, 2008).…”

Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expression in the bovine corpus luteum during the different stages of the estrous cycle

“…Therefore, activation of TLRs can induce both physiological and pathological processes, including pro/anti-inflammatory processes (Kannaki et al, 2011). In the reproductive system, TLRs participate in ovulation, fertilization, placental function, trophoblast invasion, parturition, and protection of the reproductive tract from pathogens (Horne et al, 2008;Kannaki et al, 2011;Koga and Mor 2008;Silva et al, 2010). They also allow communication between many other components of the immune system (Koga and Mor 2008).…”

“…They also allow communication between many other components of the immune system (Koga and Mor 2008). TLRs are generally expressed by different types of immune cells, but their expression is also detected in cells of reproductive tissues, such as granulosa cells, endometrial luminal and stromal cells, trophoblasts, and cervical cells (Horne et al, 2008;Koga and Mor 2008). In bovine endometrium, TLRs play roles in the prevention of endometrial infection with microorganisms as they are expressed on epithelial cells of the endometrium (Davies et al, 2008).…”

“…In bovine endometrium, TLRs play roles in the prevention of endometrial infection with microorganisms as they are expressed on epithelial cells of the endometrium (Davies et al, 2008). When TLR signaling is induced by appropriate signal molecules, many downstream targets of TLRs, including IL4, IL8, COX2, and TNFα, are regulated (Horne et al 2008;Silva et al 2010). Since the expression of many pro/anti-inflammatory molecules is affected during formation and regression of the CL (Skarzynski and Okuda 2010), the expression of TLRs may play critical roles in regulating the changing physiology of the CL.…”

Energy Management of Mature Mammalian Spermatozoa

“…This is absolutely essential in species in which ejaculation is carried out either at the vaginal vestibulum or at cervix. In these placements, the female genital tract presents a very active immunological system, which is further activated during oestrus [23]. This very active system will eliminate all spermatozoa that would not be enough fast or enough fortunate to leave the area and, in this way, sperm motility must be activated immediately after ejaculation.…”