Table 2.

Protease and protease inhibitors in the female reproductive tract.

Region	Description
Serine protease
Vagina	KLK1, 5–14 detected by ELISA [19]
	KLK5, 6, 11, 12, 13 expression detected using IHC in the vaginal stratified squamous epithelium [98]
	Estradiol decreased KLK6, 10, and 11 levels in vaginal epithelial cells [98]
Cervix	KLK1, 4–6, 8, 11–14 detected by ELISA [19]
	KLK5, 6, 11, 12, 13 expression detected using IHC in the mucus-secreting epithelium [98]
	KLK5 and 12 cleave MUC4 and 5B in the endocervical epithelium leading to collagen remodeling [98]
	Estradiol upregulated KLK4, 5, and 8 expression in ectocervical cells [101]
Uterus	KLK1, 4, 6, 9, 11–14 detected by ELISA [19]
	KLK5, 6, 11, 12, 13 expression detected using IHC in the glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium [98]
	KLK1 expression is upregulated in endometrium during mid-menstrual cycle [102]
Fallopian tube	KLK1, 6, 7, 9–14 detected by ELISA [19]
	KLK5, 6, 11, 12, 13 expression detected using IHC in the glandular epithelium [98]
Ovary	KLK1, 6–8, 10, 11, 14 detected by ELISA [19]
CVF	KLK1, 3, 5–8, 10–15 detected using ELISA and proteomic analyses [99, 100]
	Progesterone increases KLK5–7, 11, and 12 levels in the CVF [98]
Serine protease inhibitor
CVF	SPINK5 is specific inhibitor of KLK5, 7, and 14 activities [100]
	SPINK6 is a potent inhibitor of KLK2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 activities
	Estradiol upregulates SPINK5 and SPINK6 expression in ectocervical cells [101]