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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Isolation and Flow Cytometric Analysis of Human Endocervical Gamma Delta T Cells
Published on: February 6, 2017
Lymphocytes and dendritic cells in the normal uterine cervix. An immunohistochemical study
W A Poppe1, M Drijkoningen, P S Ide
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital St.-Rafaël-Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Willy.Poppe@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Objective:
Assessment of the appearance, distribution and numerical density of immune cell populations in the normal human uterine cervix.
Setting:
University Hospital Gasthuisberg.
Subjects:
29 healthy women undergoing total hysterectomy for non-cervical benign uterine disease.
Analysis:
Immunohistochemistry and morphometrical analysis on histological sections containing ectocervix, transformation zone and endocervix, using antibodies against the following antigens: HLA-DR, CD4, CD22, CD1a and CD8.
Statistical Analysis:
Wilcoxon rank sum test.
Results:
Lymphocytes in the epithelial and stromal compartments are predominantly T-lymphocytes. Intraepithelial T-lymphocyte and Langerhans' cell densities and their distribution are not influenced by the menstrual cycle and are the same in both ectocervix and transformation zone.
Conclusion:
The wide variation of T lymphocyte subpopulations and Langerhans' cell densities in the normal epithelium of the uterine cervix is stressed. We are the first to present a large and well-defined control series, which is indispensable to study the effect of smoking and other factors on the cervical immune system.
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