CD161 identifies polyfunctional Th1/Th17 cells in the genital mucosa that are depleted in HIV-infected female sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: CD161 identifies a subset of circulating Th17 cells that are depleted in the blood and gut of HIV-infected individuals. In the female reproductive tract (FRT), the pattern of CD161 expression on CD4⁺ cells remains unknown. Here, we characterized CD161 expression in the FRT of Kenyan female sex workers (FSW). Compared to the blood, CD161⁺CD4⁺ T cells were enriched in the FRT of uninfected FSWs. These cells were depleted in FRT of HIV-infected FSWs. Cervical CD161⁺ cells harboured an activated phenotype (CD69, CD95, HLA-DR) with elevated expression of tissue-homing markers (CCR6, β7 integrin) and HIV co-receptor (CCR5). Mitogen-stimulated production of IL-17 confirmed the Th17 commitment of CD161⁺CD4⁺ T cells in the FRT with a

SUBMITTER: Boily-Larouche G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5593931 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature