Abstract

The mechanisms by which the male genital tract protects itself from sexually transmitted diseases by largely unknown. Based upon evidence in other organ systems, it is likely that mucins in the male reproductive tract interact with pathogens in a complex manner which includes barrier function, specific binding, complexes with secretory IgA and proteases and possibly direct growth inhibition by the glycoprotein itself. Preliminary data has shown that semen contains significant amounts if mucin which are present in the cells of the urethral glands, seminal vesicles and prostate. In this project, we will determine the specific mucin genes being expressed in the male genital tract, their distribution, and develop systems in which to these mucins alone and in combination with other components of the immune system before, during and after STD infection.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01AI046518-02
Application #
6665557
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Project Start
2002-09-30
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
071723621
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115

  Publications

Pudney, Jeffrey; Anderson, Deborah (2011) Innate and acquired immunity in the human penile urethra. J Reprod Immunol 88:219-27
Anderson, Deborah; Politch, Joseph A; Pudney, Jeffrey (2011) HIV infection and immune defense of the penis. Am J Reprod Immunol 65:220-9
Pudney, Jeffrey; Anderson, Deborah J (2011) Expression of toll-like receptors in genital tract tissues from normal and HIV-infected men. Am J Reprod Immunol 65:28-43
Kawana, Kei; Matsumoto, Junko; Miura, Shiho et al. (2008) Expression of CD1d and ligand-induced cytokine production are tissue specific in mucosal epithelia of the human lower reproductive tract. Infect Immun 76:3011-8
Politch, Joseph A; Tucker, Lynne; Bowman, Frederick P et al. (2007) Concentrations and significance of cytokines and other immunologic factors in semen of healthy fertile men. Hum Reprod 22:2928-35
Kawana, Kei; Quayle, Alison J; Ficarra, Mercedes et al. (2007) CD1d degradation in Chlamydia trachomatis-infected epithelial cells is the result of both cellular and chlamydial proteasomal activity. J Biol Chem 282:7368-75
Bezold, Guntram; Politch, Joseph A; Kiviat, Nancy B et al. (2007) Prevalence of sexually transmissible pathogens in semen from asymptomatic male infertility patients with and without leukocytospermia. Fertil Steril 87:1087-97
Russo, Cindy Leigh; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Tisdale, Ann et al. (2006) Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia. Hum Reprod 21:2783-93
Porter, Edith; Yang, Huixia; Yavagal, Sujata et al. (2005) Distinct defensin profiles in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis urethritis reveal novel epithelial cell-neutrophil interactions. Infect Immun 73:4823-33
Ho, Samuel B; Takamura, Kenji; Anway, Ruth et al. (2004) The adherent gastric mucous layer is composed of alternating layers of MUC5AC and MUC6 mucin proteins. Dig Dis Sci 49:1598-606

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