Effects of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate on the immune microenvironment of the human cervix and endometrium: implications for HIV susceptibility

Mucosal Immunol. 2017 Sep;10(5):1270-1278. doi: 10.1038/mi.2016.121. Epub 2017 Jan 4.

Abstract

Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate is a commonly used injectable contraceptive that has been associated with an increased risk of HIV acquisition. This study compares effects of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate on immune parameters from several upper reproductive tract compartments relevant to HIV-1 susceptibility in repetitive samples from 15 depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate users and 27 women not on hormonal contraceptives. Compared with samples from unexposed women in the mid-luteal phase, depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate use was associated with: increased endocervical concentrations of MCP1 and IFNalpha2; decreased endocervical concentrations of IL1beta and IL6; increased proportions of endometrial CD4+ and CD8+ cells expressing the activation marker HLADR; increased density of endometrial macrophages; and decreased density of endometrial regulatory T cells. Unlike previous reports with samples from the vagina, we did not observe increased expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 on CD4+ T cells in the endocervix or endometrium. Our results indicate important differences in anatomic compartments regarding mechanisms by which depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate could be associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition, including increased recruitment of macrophages to the endometrium, decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the endocervix possibly leading to enhanced susceptibility to viral infection, and activation of endometrial T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cellular Microenvironment
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology*
  • Chemokine CCL2 / metabolism
  • Contraceptive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Endometrium / immunology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Medroxyprogesterone Acetate / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, CCR5 / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CCL2 protein, human
  • CCR5 protein, human
  • Chemokine CCL2
  • Contraceptive Agents
  • Delayed-Action Preparations
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, CCR5
  • Medroxyprogesterone Acetate