Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in cervical lavage fluids of human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected women

Studies were designed to determine whether cervical antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected women participate in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Serum and cervical lavage fluid (CVL) ADCC titers were compared with plasma virus load and CD4 cell number in 45 infected and 10 uninfected women from the Women's Inter-agency HIV Study. Serum and CVL were incubated with normal peripheral blood lymphocytes and HIV-1 gp120-bearing target cells in a standard ⁵¹Cr-release assay. When stringent criteria were used to define ADCC activity, 63% had activity in ≥1 fluid sample, 56% had serum titers, and 16% had CVL titers. Serum titers did not predict CVL titers. Three women with CVL ADCC had no serum ADCC, which suggests that ADCC antibodies may be produced locally. ADCC antibodies are present in the cervicovaginal fluids, which indicates that this form of innate immunity can contribute to mucosal defense against HIV-1.