Problem: There is little information regarding the impact of the intrauterine device on immune parameters of the upper female reproductive tract related to risk of HIV acquisition.
Method of study: We collected cervical and endometrial samples from women using the hormonal intrauterine device to study its effects on endocervical cytokines/chemokine concentrations, phenotypic markers of T cells, responses of endometrial T cells to activation, and alterations of endometrial cellular infiltrates.
Results: Hormonal intrauterine device use was associated with: increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (endocervix); increased coexpression of CXCR4 and CCR5 (endocervix and endometrium); increased coexpression of CD38 and HLADR (endocervix and endometrium); increased intracellular IL-10 production after T-cell stimulation (endometrium); and increased density of T cells, most notably regulatory T cells (endometrium).
Conclusion: Hormonal intrauterine device use resulted in both inflammatory and immunosuppressive alterations. Further research is needed to determine the significance of these changes for HIV risk.
Keywords: HIV; IUD; T-cell; chemokine; cytokine; progestin.
© 2016 The Authors. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.