Pentoxifylline attenuates HPV-16 associated necrosis in placental trophoblasts

Role of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage: exploring the relationship

Miscarriage is a devastating pregnancy loss that affects many women worldwide. It is characterized as a spontaneous miscarriage that occurs before 20 weeks of gestation which affects more than 25% of pregnancies. While the causes of miscarriage are complex and multifactorial, recent research has suggested a potential role of the vaginal microbiota. The vaginal microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem of microbes that are essential for preserving vaginal health and avoiding infections. Vaginal dysbiosis has been accompanied with numerous adverse pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth. However, the effect of the vaginal microbiome in miscarriage is not fully understood. This review aims to investigate the link between vaginal microbiota and miscarriage. Also, we investigate the various mechanisms through which the vaginal microbiota may affect miscarriage. Additionally, we examine the implications of these research findings, specifically the possibility of vaginal microbiome screening and targeted interventions to prevent miscarriage.

Human papilloma virus infection and miscarriage: is there an association?

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract. HPV infection is more prevalent in pregnant than in age-matched non-pregnant women and its prevalence increases as pregnancy progresses. A number of reports evaluated the role of HPV infection in miscarriages. In the present review, we summarize the existing evidence regarding the association between HPV infection and miscarriage. It is still unclear whether HPV infection is associated with increased risk for miscarriage. Studies in the field yielded conflicting findings and their conclusions are limited by a small sample size and/or methodological limitations. On the other hand, preclinical data support a role of HPV infection in placental dysfunction. Given the high prevalence of HPV infection and the possibility that vaccination against HPV might protect against miscarriage, more studies are needed to elucidate whether this common infection is associated with increased risk for miscarriage.

Manipulation of Alcohol and Short-Chain Fatty Acids in the Metabolome of Commensal and Virulent Klebsiella pneumoniae by Linolenic Acid

Endogenous alcohol produced by the gut microbiome is transported via the bloodstream to the liver for detoxification. Gut dysbiosis can result in chronic excess alcohol production that contributes to the development of hepatic steatosis. The aim of this study was to examine whether linolenic acid can manipulate the production of harmful alcohol and beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the metabolome of commensal Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and the virulent K. pneumoniae K1 serotype. Glucose fermentation by the K. pneumoniae K1 serotype yielded increased production of alcohol and decreased SCFAs (especially acetate and propionate) compared to those of commensal K. pneumoniae. However, the use of linolenic acid instead of glucose significantly reduced alcohol and increased SCFAs in the fermentation media of the K. pneumoniae K1 serotype. The work highlights the value of shaping the microbial metabolome using linolenic acid, which can potentially regulate the gut–liver axis for the prevention and treatment of alcohol-induced liver diseases.

Human papillomavirus in foetal and maternal tissues from miscarriage cases

Early miscarriage is still a concern, and viral infections are recognised as one of the causes of this adverse outcome. The causal relationship between HPV and miscarriage remains controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether HPV infection indeed may occur in both the maternal and placental tissue in cases of miscarriage. Decidual and chorionic villi fragments (n = 118) were dissected from 81 miscarriage cases, 68 spontaneous and 13 intentional. HPV DNA was detected using the consensus primers MY09/11; in eight cases (9.9%, 8/81), seven of which (10.3%) were from spontaneous miscarriages and one (7.7%), was from an intentional miscarriage. The deciduas (4/8) and chorionic villi (5/8) were both infected with HPV. A reverse line blot was used to genotype HPV positive samples and revealed HPV6, 11, 58, 66 and 82. Although the results obtained cannot infer an association between HPV and pregnancy loss, it cannot be ruled out. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Miscarriages are considered to be the most common complication in pregnancy. Several possible causes of miscarriage have been considered, and the role of infections as one of those is confirmed, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy. The prevalence of HPV in conception products is still questionable. However, an HPV infection should not be ignored and its association with miscarriage must be considered. What the results of this study add? The present study reveals the presence of HPV in the foetal and maternal tissues of conception. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This issue deserves further investigation aiming to clarify the role of HPV in miscarriage cases; which are mainly related to the specific type and grade of tissues' abnormalities found co-topographically with a virus presence.

Selenium Attenuates HPV-18 Associated Apoptosis in Embryo-Derived Trophoblastic Cells but Not Inner Cell Mass In Vitro

Objectives. Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are associated with cell cycle arrest. This study focused on antioxidant selenomethionine (SeMet) inhibition of HPV-mediated necrosis. The objectives were to determine HPV-18 effects on embryonic cells and to evaluate SeMet in blocking HPV-18 effects. Methods. Fertilized mouse embryos were cultured for 5 days to implanted trophoblasts and exposed to either control medium (group 1), HPV-18 (group 2), combined HPV-18 and 0.5 µM SeMet (group 3), or combined HPV-18 and 5.0 µM SeMet (group 4). After 48 hrs, trophoblast integrity and, apoptosis/necrosis were assessed using morphometric and dual-stain fluorescence assays, respectively. Results. HPV-18 exposed trophoblasts nuclei (253.8 ± 28.5 sq·µ) were 29% smaller than controls (355.6 ± 35.9 sq·µ). Supplementation with 0.5 and 5.0 µM SeMet prevented nuclear shrinkage after HPV-18 exposure. HPV-18 infected trophoblasts remained larger with SeMet supplementation. HPV-18 decreased cell viability by 44% but SeMet supplementation sustained cell viability. Apoptosis was lower when SeMet was present. HPV-18 decreased inner cell mass (ICM) viability by over 60%. Conclusions. HPV-18 decreased nuclear size and trophoblast viability but these effects were attenuated by the antioxidant SeMet. SeMet blocked HPV-18 associated apoptosis process in trophoblasts but not ICM cells suggesting involvement of different oxidative stress pathways.