Lower concentrations of chemotactic cytokines and soluble innate factors in the lower female genital tract associated with the use of injectable hormonal contraceptive
Progesterone-based injectable hormonal contraceptives (HCs) potentially modulate genital
barrier integrity and regulate the innate immune environment in the female genital tract,
thereby enhancing the risk of STIs or HIV infection. We investigated the effects of injectable
HC use on concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and other soluble factors associated
with genital epithelial repair and integrity. The concentrations of 42 inflammatory, regulatory,
adaptive growth factors and hematopoietic cytokines, five matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) …
barrier integrity and regulate the innate immune environment in the female genital tract,
thereby enhancing the risk of STIs or HIV infection. We investigated the effects of injectable
HC use on concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and other soluble factors associated
with genital epithelial repair and integrity. The concentrations of 42 inflammatory, regulatory,
adaptive growth factors and hematopoietic cytokines, five matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) …