Immunity in the Cervix: Interphase between Immune and Cervical Epithelial Cells

Figure 3

Profile of intercellular junctions in the cervix. This figure shows the profile and intercellular localization of interepithelial adhesion molecules in the ecto- and endocervix. The most “potent” junctions in the stratified squamous epithelium of the ectocervix (and vagina), namely, adherens junctions (AJ), are located in the parabasal layer, just above the basal layer. As epithelial cells transition toward the apical surface, the junctions get “more loose.” In contrast, endocervical epithelia contain tight junctions (TJ) located close to the apical surface and AJ just below the TJ. Desmosomes are the most basal junctions.