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 following C. muridarum genital 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 in Cxcr5(−/−) mice following C. muridarum infection. Future studies will investigate the mechanism by which this cell type regulates genital tract pathology.