Chemokine receptor expression on mucosal dendritic cells from the endocervix of healthy women.

Dendritic cells (DCs) may be an initial target of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) during heterosexual transmission. An analysis of DCs in the intraepithelial layer of the endocervix of the female genital tract from healthy women showed that ~20% expressed CD1a, and 30% expressed cutaneous leukocyte antigen (CLA). Langerin, a molecule associated with Langerhans DCs, was on CD1a-positive and -negative DCs and on CLA-positive cells. CCR5 and CXCR4 were detected on CD1a-positive and -negative cervical DCs. These findings suggest that DCs in the genital tract are potential targets for macrophage-tropic and lymphotropic strains of HIV.