CD8+CXCR5+T Cells Regulate Pathology in the Genital Tract

We have identified a CD8+CXCR5+T cell that prevents the development of oviduct dilation followingC. muridarumgenital infection. Phenotypic studies show that CD8+CXCR5+cells express markers of T regulatory cells (FoxP3, CD25, and GITR) but do not express a necessary component of cytotoxic cells (perforin).Cxcr5-/-mice have significantly lower numbers of CD8+cells and lack the CD8+CXCR5+population while the total number of CD4+cells is equivalent between mouse strains. The transfer of CD8+splenocytes from WT mice reduces the oviduct dilation seen inCxcr5-/-mice followingC. muridaruminfection. Future studies will investigate the mechanism by which this cell type regulates genital tract pathology.