Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, herpes, and gonorrhea, have time and time again proven to be a significant public health concern, however, progress in research is slow due to a wide array of complexities and infections. While preventative measures (such as condoms) are effective in decreasing the transmission of STIs in general, there are still many improvements to be made to current available treatments. Especially in underdeveloped nations, STIs are widespread and often left untreated. Common treatments in use now include a variety of antibiotics and antiviral drugs, however much attention has shifted to the development of preventative vaccines that can slow the transmission of STIs.
STIs, much like any other infection, begin with a foreign pathogen (virus or bacteria) entering the body. Many common pathogens enter the body through mucous membranes, as found in the female reproductive tract, where bacteria or viruses can enter and lead to STIs. In the case of infections, when a foreign pathogen enters the body, the immune system acts as the body’s defense system and fights the infection. The immune system consists of many different subsets of cells that serve unique purposes. One of these types, known as CD8+ T-cells (or cytotoxic T-cells), are particularly useful for fighting infections at these mucosal membranes. A new study published in Nature exemplifies an effort by scientists to advance pharmacological-based preventative measures utilizing the innate qualities of our immune system’s T cells. Researchers in the study developed a skin immunization (injected through skin cells) for mice that was found to activate cytotoxic T-cells to the tissue receiving immunization, prepared to fight an infection.
This finding, while not a cure for STI transmission, reveals new details regarding the roles of several specific cells and factors within the immune system that are involved in recruitment for CD8+ T cells (which are especially helpful for fighting foreign pathogens). By indicating the exact players in the fight against sexually transmitted infections, novel drugs and techniques that enhance the functions of these T-cells or increase their numbers can be studied and developed. The development of a vaccine that better recruits T-cells is a big step forward for preventative treatments for STIs. In this case, once the tissue has been exposed to the vaccination, the following immune response will be better equipped to deal with the introduction of a bacteria or virus. This finding shows promising preliminary results to be used as background for the development of a human vaccine.
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