Abstract
The possible effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the mucosal immune response and susceptibility of the fallopian tube mucosa to invasion by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci) was investigated in the fallopian tube organ culture (FTOC) model. Immunohistochemical and radioreceptor assay techniques showed specific high affinity binding of hCG in vitro to the apices of non-ciliated fallopian tube cells ( K d approximately 10 −9 m). Continuous exposure of the FTOC mucosa to hCG during infection with gonococci resulted in a marked increase (6- to 15-fold) in IgA secretion and significantly reduced gonococcal invasion (invasion score range 0.7 to 1.75) compared to infected control tissue which was not exposed to hCG (invasion score range 2.9 to 4.95, P ⩽ 0.01). By contrast, exposure of the mucosa to hCG during the 24 h preceding gonococcal infection followed by the removal of hCG from the system at the time of infection resulted in enhanced gonococcal invasion (invasion score range 7.95 to 9.7, P < 0.001). We conclude that hCG can modulate the mucosal immune response and susceptibility of fallopian tube epithelium to gonococcal invasion.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
