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Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Visualization of IL-22-expressing Lymphocytes Using Reporter Mice
Published on: January 25, 2017
Characterization of IL-22 and IL-17 Expressing Leukocytes in the Cervix
Hadijat M Makinde1, Nell Lurain1, Pincas Bitterman2
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Problem:
Identification of the types of cells that produce IL-17 and IL-22 in the genital tract can clarify the roles that these cytokines play in responses to pathogens.
Method Of Study:
We isolated and stimulated cells from cervical tissue to identify and characterize cytokine-producing cells.
Results:
Upon stimulation of CD3+ CD4+ endocervical cells, 1.6, 3.4, and 1.5% were induced to produce IL-22, IL-17, and both cytokines, respectively. Stimulation of CD3+ CD4+ ectocervical cells resulted in 3.3% IL-22+, 5.5% IL-17(+) and 2.6% IL-22(+) IL17+ cells. CD45+ CD3- cells had relatively high endogenous levels of cytokine expression that did not increase upon stimulation. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) made up 5.7-8% of CD45+ cervical cells and stimulation caused increases in IL-17 and IL-22.
Conclusion:
These studies show that the majority of the CD45+ leukocytes that can be induced to produce IL-22 and IL-17 in cervix are CD3+ CD4+, but ILCs are also present and can make both cytokines.
