The fallopian tube connects the uterus to the ovary while transporting the oocyte and sperm to allow for fertilization. Histologically, the fallopian tube consists of multiple layers, where the epithelial layer lines the lumen, the cavity, running through the whole tube. The two major cell types in the epithelium are ciliated cells and non-ciliated secretory cells, both with different roles to create a safe milieu for the oocyte and sperm, and to aid in transportation of the fertilized oocyte to the uterus. Besides these two major cell types, smaller proportions of cells exist in and at the base of the epithelium, where previous studies are showing contradictory results regarding their classification. Some suggest they are immune cells, and that the proportion of immune cell types fluctuate across the menstrual cycle, but results are contradictory of which type and what their role in the fallopian tube are.
This project aims to map the immune cell populations in the fallopian tube from patients across the menstrual cycle using Proximity Network Assay (PNA) from Pixelgen using a panel of 155 immune markers to visualize the surface expression of immune cells harvested from the fresh tissue. This will allow for visualization of what surface markers are up- and down-regulated across the menstrual phases, allowing for identification of differential expression of surface proteins and immune cell type annotation. Based on this, relevant markers will be stained with multiplex immunohistochemistry in samples from the same patients to quantify the number of cells and visualize where in the tube these immune cells are localized.
This research hopes to improve our understanding of the immune cells in the fallopian tube and fill in the gaps that still exist about the immune system and its role in female reproduction organs.