![Sample our Bioscience journals, sign in here to start your access, Latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5925/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Bioscience.jpg"})
Abstract
The genital tract is a unique immunological environment that must support the reproductive function and resist infection. Particularly in the female tract, immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive activities that permit the growth of the fetus create an environment that can readily be exploited by microbes that have become well-adapted to this location. Cellular and molecular mediators of immune responses differ from those found at other mucosal surfaces. Mechanisms of immune response induction and delivery, as well as immune effector functions at the genital mucosae need to be considered in the development of vaccines against infections of the genital tract.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Studies in the authors' laboratories are supported by NIH grants DE06746 and AI074791 (to MWR), AI083027 and AI028147 (to JM), a grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation (to MWR), and grant VZMSM 0021620812 from the Czech Republic (to JM).
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.