Table 4.

Properties of Epithelial and Stromal Cells in the Human Female Reproductive Tract involved in Immune Function (ERα, Estrogen Receptor alpha; ERβ, Estrogen Receptor beta; PR, Progesterone Receptor; Hormone receptor levels premenopausal).

Organ	Cell Type	Hormone Receptors	Secreted Immune Modulators	References
Vagina	Stratified squamous	ERα++++ ERβ ± PR +++	IL6#; IL8#; SLPI#; HBD2#↓; Trappin-Elafin↓ HNP1-3#; lactoferrin#	(Fahey et al. 2011; Fahey et al. 2008; Herbst-Kralovetz, et al. 2008; Keller, et al. 2007; Murphy et al. 2009; Phiel et al. 2005; Schumacher et al. 1977; Schust, et al. 1996; Wira et al. 2010)
	Stroma	ERα ++ ERβ − PR +++		(Fahey et al. 2011; Fu, et al. 2003; Hodgins, et al. 1998; Pelletier and El-Alfy 2000)
Ectocervix	Stratified Squamous			(Wira et al. 2010; Yeaman, et al. 2003)
Endocervix	Columnar epithelium	ERα++ ERβ ± PR ++		(Fahey et al. 2011; Remoue, et al. 2003; Taylor and Al-Azzawi 2000)
	Stroma	ERα++ ERβ ++ PR +		(Fahey et al. 2011; Remoue et al. 2003; Taylor and Al-Azzawi 2000)
Uterus	Luminal Columnar Epithelium	ERα++++ ERβ ± PR +++	SLPI↑; IL6,8; MIP3α; Trappin-2/Elafin; TNFα↓; HBD1,2↑; MIF↓; IL-6↓; IL-8↓	(Ghosh, et al. 2008; Ghosh, et al. 2010; Ghosh, et al. 2009; Jones, et al. 1995; Matsuzaki, et al. 1999; Pelletier and El-Alfy 2000; Taylor and Al-Azzawi 2000; Wira et al. 2010; Yeaman et al. 2003)
	Stroma	ERα++++ ERβ ± PR +++	HBD2, MIP3α	(Enmark, et al. 1997; Jones et al. 1995; Lecce, et al. 2001; Matsuzaki et al. 1999; Mylonas, et al. 2004; Pelletier and El-Alfy 2000; Taylor and Al-Azzawi 2000; Wira et al. 2010)
	Glandular epithelium	ERα++++ ERβ ± PR +++		(Fahey et al. 2011; Jones et al. 1995; Lecce et al. 2001; Matsuzaki et al. 1999; Mylonas et al. 2004; Pelletier and El-Alfy 2000; Taylor and Al-Azzawi 2000; Wira et al. 2010)
Fallopian Tube	Columnar ciliated	ERα± ERβ ± PR −		(Enmark et al. 1997; Fahey et al. 2011)
	Secretory columnar epithelium	ERα+++ ERβ +++ PR +++	SLPI↑; MIP3α; Elafin/Trappin-2	(Enmark et al. 1997; Fahey et al. 2011; Ghosh et al. 2008; Ghosh et al. 2010; Ghosh et al. 2009)
	Stroma	ERα+ ERβ ++ PR +		(Cretoiu, et al. 2009; Enmark et al. 1997; Fahey et al. 2011)

^*Low during the proliferative stage of cycle and peak at time of ovulation;

^#Levels drop significantly at mid-cycle.

Estradiol stimulates ↑; Estradiol inhibits ↓