Effect of cryopreservation on CD4+ T cell subsets in foreskin tissue

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297884
• Publication Date: 2024-03-01T18:26:46Z
• Authors: Omar Almomani; James Nnamutete; Zhongtian Shao; Victoria Menya Bi...; HenryRoger Ssemunywa; Annemarie Namuniina; Brenda Okech; Sofya Ulanova; David Zuanazzi; Cindy M. Liu; Aaron A. R. Tobian; Ronald M. Galiwango; Rupert Kaul; Jessica L. Prodger
• Keywords: Foreskin; CXCR3

Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces HIV acquisition by at least 60%, but the determinants of susceptibility in foreskin tissues are incompletely understood. Flow cytometry is a powerful tool that helps us understand tissue immune defenses mucosal like inner foreskin, flow has only been validated using fresh samples. This restricts analyses to timepoints immediately after surgical and hinders research this area. We compared analysis with whole cryopreservation later thawing digestion analyze CD4+ T cell populations relevant (CCR5, CD25, CD127, CCR4, CXCR3, CCR6, CCR10, HLA-DR, CD38). Eight samples from HIV-negative males aged >18 years were collected VMMC. For each sample, half was cryopreserved for analysis, while remaining analyzed fresh. demonstrate no significant impact on expression or CD127. Although levels CCR5, CD38, CXCR3 increased cryopreservation, relative ranking participants retained. In conclusion, may be suitable subsequent phenotyping HIV-susceptible populations.