IL6 and HIV infectious disease: In cultured endocervical cells, MPA has immunosuppressive effects, signaling predominantly through the glucocorticoid receptor and resulting in decreased production of IL6 and other inflammatory mediators.28 MPA added to peripheral blood mononuclear cells also suppressed expression of IL6, IL1beta and other factors.9 Our findings in endocervical fluid are therefore consistent with observed in vitro immunosuppressive effects of MPA on both endocervical cells and infiltrating immune cells, and could result in impaired protection against HIV infection in the endocervix.