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Qulu W, Mtshali A, Osman F, Ndlela N, Ntuli L, Mzobe G, Naicker N, Garrett N, Rompalo A, Mindel A, Ngcapu S, Liebenberg L. High-risk human papillomavirus prevalence among South African women diagnosed with other STIs and BV. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294698. [PMID: 38032961 PMCID: PMC10688634 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a leading cause of cervical cancer. Although this relies on infection and persistence of HPV in epithelial cells, often occurring in the context of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV), data on the relationships between these and their relative effects on epithelial barrier integrity in women remain sparse. This study describes the epidemiology of HPV combined with STI and/or BV prevalence and the relative impact on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) among South African women. METHODS Roche Linear Array was used for HPV genotyping in menstrual cup pellets of 243 HIV-negative women participating in the CAPRISA 083 cohort study. Vulvovaginal swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis using Xpert® CT/NG assay and lateral flow assay, and Gram staining was performed to diagnose BV using Nugent scoring criteria. Concentrations of 5 MMPs were measured in menstrual cup supernatants by multiplexed ELISA. Fisher's exact tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and multivariable regression models determined associations between HPV infection, STI and/or BV, and MMP concentrations. RESULTS HPV was prevalent in 34% of women (83/243; median 23 years, interquartile range (IQR) 21-27 years). Low-risk (lr) (71%, 59/83) and high-risk (hr)-HPV infections (54.2%, 45/83) were common. Hr-HPV was frequently detected in STI and/or BV-positive women compared to women without STIs or BV (p = 0.029). In multivariable analysis, BV was associated with increased odds of hr-HPV detection (OR: 2.64, 95%CI: 1.02-6.87, p = 0.046). Furthermore, Gardasil®9 vaccine-type strains were more frequently detected in women diagnosed with STI and/or BV (55.2%, 32/58 vs 24%, 6/25; p = 0.009). Among STI and/or BV-positive women, HPV detection was significantly associated with increased MMP-10 concentrations (b = 0.55, 95% CI 0.79-1.01; p = 0.022). CONCLUSION Most women with hr-HPV had another STI and/or BV, emphasizing an urgent need for STI and BV screening and intensive scale-up of cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programmes. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for more extensive research to confirm and understand the relationship between HPV infection and barrier integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkosi Qulu
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Andile Mtshali
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Farzana Osman
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Nonsikelelo Ndlela
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lungelo Ntuli
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Gugulethu Mzobe
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nivashnee Naicker
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Nigel Garrett
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Anne Rompalo
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Adrian Mindel
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Sinaye Ngcapu
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine Liebenberg
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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George N, Bhandari P, Shruptha P, Jayaram P, Chaudhari S, Satyamoorthy K. Multidimensional outlook on the pathophysiology of cervical cancer invasion and metastasis. Mol Cell Biochem 2023; 478:2581-2606. [PMID: 36905477 PMCID: PMC10006576 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-023-04686-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer being one of the primary causes of high mortality rates among women is an area of concern, especially with ineffective treatment strategies. Extensive studies are carried out to understand various aspects of cervical cancer initiation, development and progression; however, invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma has poor outcomes. Moreover, the advanced stages of cervical cancer may involve lymphatic circulation with a high risk of tumor recurrence at distant metastatic sites. Dysregulation of the cervical microbiome by human papillomavirus (HPV) together with immune response modulation and the occurrence of novel mutations that trigger genomic instability causes malignant transformation at the cervix. In this review, we focus on the major risk factors as well as the functionally altered signaling pathways promoting the transformation of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. We further elucidate genetic and epigenetic variations to highlight the complexity of causal factors of cervical cancer as well as the metastatic potential due to the changes in immune response, epigenetic regulation, DNA repair capacity, and cell cycle progression. Our bioinformatics analysis on metastatic and non-metastatic cervical cancer datasets identified various significantly and differentially expressed genes as well as the downregulation of potential tumor suppressor microRNA miR-28-5p. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the genomic landscape in invasive and metastatic cervical cancer will help in stratifying the patient groups and designing potential therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neena George
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Poonam Bhandari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Padival Shruptha
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Pradyumna Jayaram
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Sima Chaudhari
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Kapaettu Satyamoorthy
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Planetarium Complex, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Chetty-Sebastian D, Assounga AG. Regulatory T cell frequency in peripheral blood of women with advanced cervical Cancer including women living with HIV. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:830. [PMID: 37670247 PMCID: PMC10481519 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11345-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent high-risk Human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infections are the main cause of cervical cancer. Cumulative evidence implicates regulatory T cells (Tregs) as a critical factor in the failure to eliminate HPV-induced cancers leading to their persistence and progression to cancer. Also, the WHO recognised cervical cancer as 100% attributable to persistent HR-HPV infection. The province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa has a high prevalence of cervical cancer and HIV infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated Treg frequency in dual infection of HR HPV and HIV coinfection using phenotypic markers, CD4, CD25 and intracellular Foxp3, in the peripheral blood of 51 cervical cancer and 46 non-cervical cancer participants and evaluated the effect of HIV on regulatory T cell proportion. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were surface stained with a cocktail fluorescent labelled CD4 and CD25 and subsequently with APC anti-human FoxP3 (eBioscience). Flow cytometry was performed with FACS analysis. Statistical analysis of results was done using Instat 3 program (GraphpadR). Tregs results were expressed as median ± interquartile range (IQR). Associations of cervical cancer with demographic, clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 27 (IBM). RESULTS Tregs frequency was significantly higher in individuals with cervical cancer (11.00 ± 19.79%) compared to controls (1.71 ± 8.91%) (p < 0.0001). HIV infection was associated with an increase in Tregs frequency. In controls a significant difference in Tregs frequency was noted between women living with HIV (6.00 ± 10.57%, n = 9) and those without HIV (1.30 ± 6.10%, n = 37), p = 0.0023. In multivariate logistic regression, Tregs frequency was significantly associated with cervical cancer after controlling for age, smoking, weight loss, presence of STI, HIV and HPV genotype. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Higher Tregs frequency was significantly associated with cervical cancer highlighting the immunosuppressive role of Tregs in cervical cancer. Treg frequency was more strongly associated with cervical cancer than HIV infection. We provide baseline data for monitoring Treg frequencies in response to new preventive and therapeutic strategies in the management of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devamani Chetty-Sebastian
- Clinical Medicine laboratory, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
| | - Alain G. Assounga
- Clinical Medicine laboratory, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
- Dept of Nephrology, Div. of Internal Medicine, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road, Durban, 4001 South Africa
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Yu L, Peng Y, Sheng M, Wang Q, Huang J, Yang X. Sensitive and Amplification-Free Electrochemiluminescence Biosensor for HPV-16 Detection Based on CRISPR/Cas12a and DNA Tetrahedron Nanostructures. ACS Sens 2023; 8:2852-2858. [PMID: 37402133 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.3c00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Rapid and accurate detection of biomarkers was very important for early screening and treatment of diseases. Herein, a sensitive and amplification-free electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor based on CRISPR/Cas12a and DNA tetrahedron nanostructures (TDNs) was constructed. Briefly, 3D TDN was self-assembled on the Au nanoparticle-deposited glassy carbon electrode surface to construct the biosensing interface. The presence of the target would activate the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a-crRNA duplex to cleave the single-stranded DNA signal probe on the vertex of TDN, causing the Ru(bpy)32+ to fall from the electrode surface and weakened the ECL signal. Thus, the CRISPR/Cas12a system transduced the change of target concentration into an ECL signal enabling the detection of HPV-16. The specific recognition of CRISPR/Cas12a to HPV-16 made the biosensor have good selectivity, while the TDN-modified sensing interface could reduce the cleaving steric resistance and improve the cleaving performance of CRISPR/Cas12a. In addition, the pretreated biosensor could complete sample detection within 100 min with a detection limit of 8.86 fM, indicating that the developed biosensor possesses the potential application prospect for fast and sensitive nucleic acid detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Yao Peng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Mengting Sheng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
| | - Jianshe Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
| | - Xiurong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, Jilin, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China
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Hillyar CR, Kanabar SS, Pufal KR, Saw Hee JL, Lawson AW, Mohamed Y, Jasim D, Reed L, Rallis KS, Nibber A. A systematic review and meta-analysis of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer. Epigenomics 2023; 15:593-613. [PMID: 37535320 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to critically appraise the evidence of the diagnostic effectiveness of miRNAs for the detection of cervical cancer. Methods & materials: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed, searching PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. An umbrella meta-analysis of meta-analyses of individual biomarkers was performed. A Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) assessment of evidence was also performed. Results: A total of 52 miRNAs were included. Umbrella meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in terms of sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), positive predictive value and/or negative predictive value. Umbrella effects were 0.76 (95% CI: 0.73-0.78), 0.78 (95% CI: 0.75-0.81), 0.77 (95% CI: 0.75-0.80), 0.75 (95% CI: 0.71-0.79) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.74-0.79), respectively. Conclusion: Moderate quality evidence suggested miR199a-5p, miR21-5p and miR-141a had excellent diagnostic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Rt Hillyar
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6HG, UK
- Elderly Care, Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, RG1 5AN, UK
| | - Shivani S Kanabar
- General Surgery, Sandwell General Hospital, Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust, West Bromwich, B71 4HJ, UK
| | - Kamil R Pufal
- General Surgery, Queens Hospital Burton, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Trust, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0RB, UK
| | - Joshua Li Saw Hee
- Renal Unit, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP, UK
| | - Alexander W Lawson
- General Surgery, New Cross Hospital, The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, WV10 0QP, UK
| | - Yethrib Mohamed
- General Surgery, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, B9 5SS, UK
| | - Duha Jasim
- Intensive Care, Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 4QJ, UK
| | - Lara Reed
- General Surgery, Weston General Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 4TQ, UK
| | - Kathrine S Rallis
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Center for Hematology-Oncology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, EC1M 6AU, UK
| | - Anjan Nibber
- Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6HG, UK
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
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Britto AMA, Siqueira JD, Curty G, Goes LR, Policarpo C, Meyrelles AR, Furtado Y, Almeida G, Giannini ALM, Machado ES, Soares MA. Microbiome analysis of Brazilian women cervix reveals specific bacterial abundance correlation to RIG-like receptor gene expression. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147950. [PMID: 37180114 PMCID: PMC10167488 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship among microbiome, immunity and cervical cancer has been targeted by several studies, yet many questions remain unanswered. We characterized herein the virome and bacteriome from cervical samples and correlated these findings with innate immunity gene expression in a Brazilian convenience sample of HPV-infected (HPV+) and uninfected (HPV-) women. For this purpose, innate immune gene expression data were correlated to metagenomic information. Correlation analysis showed that interferon (IFN) is able to differentially modulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) expression based on HPV status. Virome analysis indicated that HPV infection correlates to the presence of Anellovirus (AV) and seven complete HPV genomes were assembled. Bacteriome results unveiled that vaginal community state types (CST) distribution was independent of HPV or AV status, although bacterial phyla distribution differed between groups. Furthermore, TLR3 and IFNαR2 levels were higher in the Lactobacillus no iners-dominated mucosa and we detected correlations among RIG-like receptors (RLR) associated genes and abundance of specific anaerobic bacteria. Collectively, our data show an intriguing connection between HPV and AV infections that could foster cervical cancer development. Besides that, TLR3 and IFNαR2 seem to create a protective milieu in healthy cervical mucosa (L. no iners-dominated), and RLRs, known to recognize viral RNA, were correlated to anaerobic bacteria suggesting that they might be related to dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Messala A. Britto
- Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil (DEMI), Faculdade de Enfermagem (FEnf), Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Infecção HIV/aids e Hepatites Virais, Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle (HUGG/Ebserh), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana D. Siqueira
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Curty
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Livia R. Goes
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cintia Policarpo
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Angela R. Meyrelles
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yara Furtado
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Escola de Medicina e Cirurgia da Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gutemberg Almeida
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Lucia M. Giannini
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth S. Machado
- Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo A. Soares
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Happel AU, Balle C, Havyarimana E, Brown B, Maust BS, Feng C, Yi BH, Gill K, Bekker LG, Passmore JAS, Jaspan HB, Varsani A. Cervicovaginal Human Papillomavirus Genomes, Microbiota Composition and Cytokine Concentrations in South African Adolescents. Viruses 2023; 15:758. [PMID: 36992467 PMCID: PMC10054107 DOI: 10.3390/v15030758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between cervicovaginal virome, bacteriome and genital inflammation has not been extensively investigated. We assessed the vaginal DNA virome from 33 South African adolescents (15-19 years old) using shotgun DNA sequencing of purified virions. We present analyses of eukaryote-infecting DNA viruses, with a focus on human papillomavirus (HPV) genomes and relate these to the vaginal bacterial microbiota (assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) and cytokines (assessed by Luminex). The DNA virome included single-stranded (Anelloviridae, Genomoviridae) and double-stranded DNA viruses (Adenoviridae, Alloherpesviridae, Herpesviridae, Marseilleviridae, Mimiviridae, Polyomaviridae, Poxviridae). We identified 110 unique, complete HPV genomes within two genera (Alphapapillomavirus and Gammapapillomavirus) representing 40 HPV types and 12 species. Of the 40 HPV types identified, 35 showed positive co-infection patterns with at least one other type, mainly HPV-16. HPV-35, a high-risk genotype currently not targeted by available vaccines, was the most prevalent HPV type identified in this cohort. Bacterial taxa commonly associated with bacterial vaginosis also correlated with the presence of HPV. Bacterial vaginosis, rather than HPV, was associated with increased genital inflammation. This study lays the foundation for future work characterizing the vaginal virome and its role in women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Ursula Happel
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Christina Balle
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Enock Havyarimana
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Bryan Brown
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 1510 San Juan Road NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Brandon S. Maust
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 1510 San Juan Road NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Colin Feng
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Byung H. Yi
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Katherine Gill
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, 3 Woodlands Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town 7915, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, 3 Woodlands Rd, Woodstock, Cape Town 7915, South Africa
| | - Jo-Ann S. Passmore
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- NRF-DST Center of Excellence in HIV Prevention, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, 719 Umbilo Road, Congella, Durban 4013, South Africa
| | - Heather B. Jaspan
- Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave. N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 1510 San Juan Road NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St., Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine and School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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Chávez-Torres M, Gómez-Palacio-Schjetnan M, Reyes-Terán G, Briceño O, Ávila-Ríos S, Romero-Mora KA, Pinto-Cardoso S. The vaginal microbiota of women living with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy and its relation to high-risk human papillomavirus infection. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:21. [PMID: 36658503 PMCID: PMC9850673 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02769-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have investigated the vaginal microbiota (VM) in women living with HIV (WLWH) in the context of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, even though WLWH are at an increased risk of HPV-related malignancies, including cervical cancer. To explore the impact of HIV and HPV infection on the VM in WLWH, we determined the prevalence of HR-HPV infection and cervical cytologic abnormalities in a cohort of 44 WLWH and 39 seronegative-women (SNW), characterized the vaginal microbiota by 16S sequencing, assessed genital inflammation and systemic immune activation by multiplex bead assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Finally, we explored relationships between bacterial richness and diversity, the top 20 bacterial genera, genital inflammation and systemic immune activation. RESULTS We found that HR-HPV prevalence was similar between WLWH and SNW. High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) were only detected in WLWH negative for HR-HPV infection. In regression analyses, no risk factors were identified. Women co-infected with HIV and HR-HPV had the highest level of systemic immune activation, and these levels were significantly different compared with SNW without HR-HPV infection. Lactobacillus iners was the dominant Lactobacillus species in WLWH and SNW alike. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of differences in vaginal microbial richness and diversity, microbial community structure, and genital inflammation by HIV, HPV, or HIV and HPV status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monserrat Chávez-Torres
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Maria Gómez-Palacio-Schjetnan
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Gustavo Reyes-Terán
- grid.415745.60000 0004 1791 0836Comisión Coordinadora de Institutos Nacionales de Salud Y Hospitales de Alta Especialidad, Secretaría de Salud, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Olivia Briceño
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Santiago Ávila-Ríos
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Karla Alejandra Romero-Mora
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sandra Pinto-Cardoso
- grid.419179.30000 0000 8515 3604Departamento de Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, Calzada de Tlalpan 4502, Colonia Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Ciudad de México, México
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9
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Hewavisenti RV, Arena J, Ahlenstiel CL, Sasson SC. Human papillomavirus in the setting of immunodeficiency: Pathogenesis and the emergence of next-generation therapies to reduce the high associated cancer risk. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112513. [PMID: 36960048 PMCID: PMC10027931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted virus infecting mucosal or cutaneous stratified epithelia, is implicated in the rising of associated cancers worldwide. While HPV infection can be cleared by an adequate immune response, immunocompromised individuals can develop persistent, treatment-refractory, and progressive disease. Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) associated with HPV-related disease include inborn errors of GATA, EVER1/2, and CXCR4 mutations, resulting in defective cellular function. People living with secondary immunodeficiency (e.g. solid-organ transplants recipients of immunosuppression) and acquired immunodeficiency (e.g. concurrent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection) are also at significant risk of HPV-related disease. Immunocompromised people are highly susceptible to the development of cutaneous and mucosal warts, and cervical, anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas. The specific mechanisms underlying high-risk HPV-driven cancer development in immunocompromised hosts are not well understood. Current treatments for HPV-related cancers include surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, with clinical trials underway to investigate the use of anti-PD-1 therapy. In the setting of HIV co-infection, persistent high-grade anal intraepithelial neoplasia can occur despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy, resulting in an ongoing risk for transformation to overt malignancy. Although therapeutic vaccines against HPV are under development, the efficacy of these in the setting of PID, secondary- or acquired- immunodeficiencies remains unclear. RNA-based therapeutic targeting of the HPV genome or mRNA transcript has become a promising next-generation therapeutic avenue. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of HPV pathogenesis, immune evasion, and malignant transformation, with a focus on key PIDs, secondary immunodeficiencies, and HIV infection. Current management and vaccine regimes are outlined in relation to HPV-driven cancer, and specifically, the need for more effective therapeutic strategies for immunocompromised hosts. The recent advances in RNA-based gene targeting including CRISPR and short interfering RNA (siRNA), and the potential application to HPV infection are of great interest. An increased understanding of both the dysregulated immune responses in immunocompromised hosts and of viral persistence is essential for the design of next-generation therapies to eliminate HPV persistence and cancer development in the most at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rehana V. Hewavisenti
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Arena
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Chantelle L. Ahlenstiel
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- UNSW RNA Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah C. Sasson
- Immunovirology and Pathogenesis Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Sarah C. Sasson,
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10
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Wang Y, Noël-Romas L, Perner M, Knodel S, Molatlhegi R, Hoger S, Birse K, Zuend CF, McKinnon LR, Burgener AD. Non-Lactobacillus dominant and polymicrobial vaginal microbiomes are more common in younger South African women and predictive of increased risk of HIV acquisition. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 76:1372-1381. [PMID: 36504254 PMCID: PMC10110272 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in sub-Saharan Africa are at disproportionate risk of HIV infection. Given the known association between vaginal microbial dysbiosis and HIV susceptibility, we performed an age-stratified analysis of the vaginal microbiome in South African women and compared this to their risk of HIV acquisition. METHODS Vaginal microbiome data were generated by mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of cervicovaginal lavages collected from participants (n = 688) in the CAPRISA 004 trial. Participants were grouped by age (18-19 years old (y), n = 93; 20-24y, n = 326; 25-41y, n = 269). RESULTS Four microbiome types were identified based on predominant taxa including: L. crispatus (CST-LC, 12.2%), L. iners (CST-LI, 43.6%), G. vaginalis (CST-GV, 26.6%) or polymicrobial (CST-PM, 15.1%). Compared to the 25-41y group, 18-19y and 20-24y women increased CST-PM and a non-Lactobacillus-dominant (nLD) microbiome (OR = 3.14, 95% CI: 1.12-7.87, P = 0.017; OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.07-7.09, P = 0.038, respectively; and OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02-2.65, P = 0.028; OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.01-1.95, P = 0.030, respectively). Compared to 25-41y women, 18-19y women were more likely to have increased abundance of Megasphaera (L2FD = 1.72, P = 0.0023, adj. P = 0.0498). HIV incidence rate of women with CST-PM microbiome was 7.19-fold higher compared to women with CST-LC in all study participants (HR = 7.19, 95% CI: 2.11-24.5, P = 0.00162), which was also consistent in 20-24y women (HR = 4.90, 95% CI: 1.10-21.9, P = 0.0375). CONCLUSION Younger women were more likely to have a higher risk polymicrobial microbiome that associated with substantial increased risk of HIV acquisition. These data suggest that the vaginal microbiota is a contributing factor to increased HIV-1 susceptibility in younger women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Wang
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Laura Noël-Romas
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Michelle Perner
- Sexually Transmitted Infectious and Bloodborne Pathogens Section, JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Center, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Samantha Knodel
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Refilwe Molatlhegi
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sarah Hoger
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Kenzie Birse
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Christina Farr Zuend
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lyle R McKinnon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Adam D Burgener
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.,Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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11
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Karim QA, Archary D, Barré-Sinoussi F, Broliden K, Cabrera C, Chiodi F, Fidler SJ, Gengiah TN, Herrera C, Kharsany ABM, Liebenberg LJP, Mahomed S, Menu E, Moog C, Scarlatti G, Seddiki N, Sivro A, Cavarelli M. Women for science and science for women: Gaps, challenges and opportunities towards optimizing pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-1 prevention. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1055042. [PMID: 36561760 PMCID: PMC9763292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1055042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventing new HIV infections remains a global challenge. Young women continue to bear a disproportionate burden of infection. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), offers a novel women-initiated prevention technology and PrEP trials completed to date underscore the importance of their inclusion early in trials evaluating new HIV PrEP technologies. Data from completed topical and systemic PrEP trials highlight the role of gender specific physiological and social factors that impact PrEP uptake, adherence and efficacy. Here we review the past and current developments of HIV-1 prevention options for women with special focus on PrEP considering the diverse factors that can impact PrEP efficacy. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of inclusion of female scientists, clinicians, and community advocates in scientific efforts to further improve HIV prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quarraisha Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Derseree Archary
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Kristina Broliden
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Center for Molecular Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Cabrera
- AIDS Research Institute IrsiCaixa, Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Chiodi
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah J. Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London UK and Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanuja N. Gengiah
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Carolina Herrera
- Department of Infectious Disease, Section of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Carolina Herrera,
| | - Ayesha B. M. Kharsany
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine J. P. Liebenberg
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sharana Mahomed
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Elisabeth Menu
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France,MISTIC Group, Department of Virology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Christiane Moog
- Laboratoire d’ImmunoRhumatologie Moléculaire, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM) UMR_S 1109, Institut thématique interdisciplinaire (ITI) de Médecine de Précision de Strasbourg, Transplantex NG, Faculté de Médecine, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire OMICARE, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Gabriella Scarlatti
- Viral Evolution and Transmission Unit, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - Nabila Seddiki
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Aida Sivro
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2Floor), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa,JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Mariangela Cavarelli
- Université Paris-Saclay, Inserm, CEA, Center for Immunology of Viral, Auto-immune, Hematological and Bacterial diseases (IMVA-HB/IDMIT), Fontenay-aux-Roses & Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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12
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George AF, McGregor M, Gingrich D, Neidleman J, Marquez RS, Young KC, Thanigaivelan KL, Greene WC, Tien PC, Deitchman AN, Spitzer TL, Roan NR. Female Genital Fibroblasts Diminish the In Vitro Efficacy of PrEP against HIV. Viruses 2022; 14:v14081723. [PMID: 36016345 PMCID: PMC9413545 DOI: 10.3390/v14081723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is high in men who have sex with men, but much more variable in women, in a manner largely attributed to low adherence. This reduced efficacy, however, could also reflect biological factors. Transmission to women is typically via the female reproductive tract (FRT), and vaginal dysbiosis, genital inflammation, and other factors specific to the FRT mucosa can all increase transmission risk. We have demonstrated that mucosal fibroblasts from the lower and upper FRT can markedly enhance HIV infection of CD4+ T cells. Given the current testing of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, cabotegravir, and dapivirine regimens as candidate PrEP agents for women, we set out to determine using in vitro assays whether endometrial stromal fibroblasts (eSF) isolated from the FRT can affect the anti-HIV activity of these PrEP drugs. We found that PrEP drugs exhibit significantly reduced antiviral efficacy in the presence of eSFs, not because of decreased PrEP drug availability, but rather of eSF-mediated enhancement of HIV infection. These findings suggest that drug combinations that target both the virus and infection-promoting factors in the FRT-such as mucosal fibroblasts-may be more effective than PrEP alone at preventing sexual transmission of HIV to women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley F. George
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew McGregor
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David Gingrich
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Jason Neidleman
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | | | - Kyrlia C. Young
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Kaavya L. Thanigaivelan
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Warner C. Greene
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Departments of Medicine and Veterans Affairs, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Amelia N. Deitchman
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Trimble L. Spitzer
- Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force, Medical Center, Women’s Health Clinic, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA
| | - Nadia R. Roan
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Ntuli L, Mtshali A, Mzobe G, Liebenberg LJP, Ngcapu S. Role of Immunity and Vaginal Microbiome in Clearance and Persistence of Human Papillomavirus Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:927131. [PMID: 35873158 PMCID: PMC9301195 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.927131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women of reproductive age, with 80% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes has been described as the most common non-systemic biological risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. The mucosal immune system plays a significant role in controlling HPV infection by acting as the first line of host defense at the mucosal surface. However, the virus can evade host immunity using various mechanisms, including inhibition of the antiviral immune response necessary for HPV clearance. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and the vaginal microbiome coordinate cell-mediated immune responses and play a pivotal role in modulating immunity. Recently, diverse vaginal microbiome (associated with bacterial vaginosis) and genital inflammation have emerged as potential drivers of high-risk HPV positivity and disease severity in women. The potential role of these risk factors on HPV recurrence and persistence remains unclear. This article reviews the role of cellular or cytokine response and vaginal microbiome dysbiosis in the clearance, persistence, and recurrence of HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lungelo Ntuli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Andile Mtshali
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Gugulethu Mzobe
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine JP Liebenberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Sinaye Ngcapu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Sinaye Ngcapu,
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14
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Okiring J, Getahun M, Gutin SA, Lebu S, Lee J, Maeri I, Eyul P, Bukusi EA, Cohen CR, Neilands TB, Ssali S, Charlebois ED, Camlin CS. Sexual partnership concurrency and age disparities associated with sexually transmitted infection and risk behavior in rural communities in Kenya and Uganda. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 120:158-167. [PMID: 35472527 PMCID: PMC9984205 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We examined sex-specific associations of partner age disparity and relationship concurrency with Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis (NG/CT) infection, higher-risk relationships, and condom use as proxies for HIV risk. METHODS Data were collected in 2016 from 2179 adults in 12 communities in Uganda and Kenya. Logistic regression models examined associations of age disparity and relationship concurrency with NG/CT infection, condom use, and higher-risk (commercial sex and other higher-risk) relationships in the past 6 months, controlling for covariates. RESULTS Partner age and relationship concurrency were associated with NG/CT infection in women but not men. Relative to women in age-disparate relationships, women in both age-disparate and age-homogeneous relationships had higher odds of NG/CT infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=3.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46-9.98). Among men and women, partnership concurrency was associated with higher-risk partnerships. In addition, relative to those with a single age-homogeneous partner, those with concurrent age-homogeneous partners had higher odds of condom use (men: aOR=2.85, 95% CI: 1.89-4.31; women: aOR=2.99, 95% CI: 1.52-5.89). Concurrent age-disparate partnerships were associated with condom use among men only (aOR=4.02, 95% CI: 2.54-6.37). CONCLUSION Findings underscore the importance of targeted HIV prevention efforts for couples in age-disparate and concurrent relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaffer Okiring
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Plot 2C Nakasero Hill Road, P.O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Monica Getahun
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA
| | - Sarah A Gutin
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sarah Lebu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA
| | - Joi Lee
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA
| | - Irene Maeri
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Patrick Eyul
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Plot 2C Nakasero Hill Road, P.O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA; Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, P.O. Box 54840 00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Craig R Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA
| | - Torsten B Neilands
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Sarah Ssali
- School of Women and Gender Studies, Makerere University, Pool Road, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Edwin D Charlebois
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Carol S Camlin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, 1330 Broadway, Ste. 1100, Oakland CA 94612, USA; Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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15
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Kaul R, Liu CM, Park DE, Galiwango RM, Tobian AAR, Prodger JL. The Penis, the Vagina and HIV Risk: Key Differences (Aside from the Obvious). Viruses 2022; 14:v14061164. [PMID: 35746636 PMCID: PMC9227947 DOI: 10.3390/v14061164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, most Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV) transmission occurs through vaginal–penile sex (heterosexual transmission). The local immune environment at the site of HIV exposure is an important determinant of whether exposure during sex will lead to productive infection, and the vaginal and penile immune milieus are each critically shaped by the local microbiome. However, there are key differences in the microbial drivers of inflammation and immune quiescence at these tissue sites. In both, a high abundance of anaerobic taxa (e.g., Prevotella) is associated with an increased local density of HIV target cells and an increased risk of acquiring HIV through sex. However, the taxa that have been associated to date with increased risk in the vagina and penis are not identical. Just as importantly, the microbiota associated with comparatively less inflammation and HIV risk—i.e., the optimal microbiota—are very different at the two sites. In the vagina, Lactobacillus spp. are immunoregulatory and may protect against HIV acquisition, whereas on the penis, “skin type” flora such as Corynebacterium are associated with reduced inflammation. Compared to its vaginal counterpart, much less is known about the dynamics of the penile microbiome, the ability of clinical interventions to alter the penile microbiome, or the impact of natural/induced microbiome alterations on penile immunology and HIV risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Kaul
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Cindy M. Liu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (C.M.L.); (D.E.P.)
| | - Daniel E. Park
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (C.M.L.); (D.E.P.)
| | | | - Aaron A. R. Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Jessica L. Prodger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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16
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Happel AU, Sivro A, Liebenberg L, Passmore JA, Mitchell CM. Considerations for Choosing Soluble Immune Markers to Determine Safety of Novel Vaginal Products. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:899277. [PMID: 36303630 PMCID: PMC9580790 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.899277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Several soluble cytokines have been associated with microbicide-induced cervicovaginal inflammation, non-optimal vaginal microbiota, and risk of HIV acquisition. Many of these biomarkers are used in preclinical assays to estimate the safety of vaginally applied products. However, there are currently no validated biomarkers to evaluate the safety of novel vaginal products in clinical trials. This hinders the rapid and rational selection of novel products being tested in first-in-human trials. We reviewed available literature to assess how best to select and measure soluble immune markers to determine product safety in first in human clinical trials of novel vaginal products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Ursula Happel
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aida Sivro
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine Liebenberg
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jo Ann Passmore
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Caroline M. Mitchell
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Caroline M. Mitchell
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17
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Zayats R, Murooka TT, McKinnon LR. HPV and the Risk of HIV Acquisition in Women. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:814948. [PMID: 35223546 PMCID: PMC8867608 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.814948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The risk of HIV acquisition is low on a per-contact basis but increased by transmission co-factors such as other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent STI that most individuals will acquire HPV in their lifetime. Current HPV vaccines can prevent newly acquired infections, but are largely ineffective against established HPV, complicating worldwide eradication efforts. In addition to being the causative agent of cervical cancer, accumulating evidence suggests that HPV infection and/or accompanying cervical inflammation increase the risk of HIV infection in men and women. The fact that immunological features observed during HPV infection overlap with cellular and molecular pathways known to enhance HIV susceptibility underscore the potential interplay between these two viral infections that fuel their mutual spread. Here we review current insights into how HPV infection and the generation of anti-HPV immunity contribute to higher HIV transmission rates, and the impact of HPV on mucosal inflammation, immune cell trafficking, and epithelial barrier function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romaniya Zayats
- Department of Immunology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Thomas T. Murooka
- Department of Immunology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- *Correspondence: Thomas T. Murooka, ; Lyle R. McKinnon,
| | - Lyle R. McKinnon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Thomas T. Murooka, ; Lyle R. McKinnon,
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18
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Ssemaganda A, Cholette F, Perner M, Kambaran C, Adhiambo W, Wambugu PM, Gebrebrhan H, Lee A, Nuhu F, Mwatelah RS, Jahan N, Omole TE, Wanjiru T, Gitau A, Kimani J, McKinnon LR. Endocervical Regulatory T Cells Are Associated With Decreased Genital Inflammation and Lower HIV Target Cell Abundance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:726472. [PMID: 34630402 PMCID: PMC8495419 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.726472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play important roles in tissue homeostasis, but few studies have investigated tissue Tregs in the context of genital inflammation, HIV target cell density, and vaginal microbiota in humans. In women from Nairobi (n=64), the proportion of CD4+ CD25+ CD127low Tregs in the endocervix correlated with those in blood (r=0.31, p=0.01), with a higher Treg frequency observed in the endocervix (median 3.8 vs 2.0%, p<0.0001). Most Tregs expressed FOXP3 in both compartments, and CTLA-4 expression was higher on endocervical Tregs compared to blood (median 50.8 vs 6.0%, p<0.0001). More than half (34/62, 55%) of participants displayed a non-Lactobacillus dominant vaginal microbiota, which was not associated with endocervical Tregs or CD4+ T cell abundance. In a multivariable linear regression, endocervical Treg proportions were inversely associated with the number of elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (p=0.03). Inverse Treg associations were also observed for specific cytokines including IL-1β, G-CSF, Eotaxin, IL-1RA, IL-8, and MIP-1 β. Higher endocervical Treg proportions were associated with lower abundance of endocervical CD4+ T cells (0.30 log10 CD4+ T cells per log10 Treg, p=0.00028), with a similar trend for Th17 cells (p=0.09). Selectively increasing endocervical Tregs may represent a pathway to reduce genital tract inflammation in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aloysious Ssemaganda
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Francois Cholette
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada.,JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Michelle Perner
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Cheli Kambaran
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Wendy Adhiambo
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter M Wambugu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Henok Gebrebrhan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Amy Lee
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Faisal Nuhu
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Ruth S Mwatelah
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Naima Jahan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Tosin E Omole
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada
| | - Tabitha Wanjiru
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Apollo Gitau
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joshua Kimani
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lyle R McKinnon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MN, Canada.,JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MN, Canada.,Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
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19
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Genetic Predisposition to Persistent Human Papillomavirus-Infection and Virus-Induced Cancers. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102092. [PMID: 34683414 PMCID: PMC8539927 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the most common sexually transmitted pathogens worldwide and among the more than 200 identified HPV types, approximately 15 high risk (HR-HPV) types are oncogenic, being strongly associated with the development of cervical cancer, anogenital cancers and an increasing fraction of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). HPV-associated cervix cancer accounts for 83% of HPV-attributable cancers, and more than two-thirds of those cases occur in developing countries. Despite the high frequency of HPV infections, in most cases, the virus is cleared by the host immune response and only a small proportion of infected individuals develop persistent infections that can result in malignant transformation, indicating that other elements, including biological, genetic and environmental factors may influence the individual susceptibility to HPV-associated cancers. Previous studies have quantified that heritability, in the form of genetic variants, common in the general population, is implicated in nearly 30% of cervical cancers and a large number of studies conducted across various populations have identified genetic variants that appear to be associated with genes that predispose or protect the host to HPV infections thereby affecting individual susceptibility to HPV-associated cancers. In this article, we provide an overview of gene association studies on HPV-associated cancers with emphasis on genome-wide association study (GWAS) that have identified novel genetic factors linked to HPV infection or HPV-associated cancers.
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20
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Wang Y, Xia L, Xiang X, Yuan R, Wei S. A new photoelectrochemical biosensor based on FeOOH and exonuclease III-aided dual recycling signal amplification for HPV-16 detection. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:6416-6419. [PMID: 34095911 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc00756d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Herein, based on iron oxyhydroxide (FeOOH) as the photoactive material and exonuclease III (exo III)-aided dual recycling signal amplification, a new photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor was successfully developed for human papillomavirus-16 (HPV-16) detection with a wide linear range from 0.5 fM to 1 nM and a low detection limit of 0.17 fM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanlin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Lingying Xia
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Xuelian Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Shaping Wei
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
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21
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Cytokine response following perturbation of the cervicovaginal milieu during HPV genital infection. Immunol Res 2021; 69:255-263. [PMID: 33939124 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09196-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are oncogenic viruses causing most cervical cancers. Highly prevalent in young, sexually active women, only a minority of HPV infections persist. To better characterize the immuno-modulatory impact of early HPV infections, we measured changes in a panel of 20 cytokines in cervicovaginal samples collected from young women who were tested for HPV and self-reported for genital inflammation and infection symptoms. Multi-factor statistical analyses revealed that increased IL-1Alpha and IL-12/IL-23p40 concentrations were associated with HPV infection and that macrophage inflammatory proteins were associated in particular with high-risk HPV infections. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02946346.
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22
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Molatlhegi RP, Ngcobo S, Liebenberg LJP, Ngcapu S, Mabhula A, Leslie A, Mchunu N, Zondi MM, Adamson JH, Govender K, Samsunder N, Karim SSA, Karim QA, Passmore JAS, Sivro A, McKinnon LR. Genital and systemic immune effects of the injectable, contraceptive norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), in South African women. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13411. [PMID: 33641222 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Injectable hormonal contraceptives (IHC) have been associated with altered mucosal and systemic milieu which might increase HIV risk, but most studies have focused on DMPA and not NET-EN, despite the growing popularity and lower HIV risk associated with the latter in observational studies. METHOD OF STUDY We used high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-LC-MS/MS) to measure steroid hormones in plasma samples of CAPRISA004 study participants. Concentrations of 48 cytokines were measured in the cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) and plasma, and their expression was compared between participants with detectable NET-EN (n = 201) versus non-detectable IHC (n = 90). Each log10 cytokine concentration was tested as an outcome in linear-mixed models, with NET-EN detection as the main explanatory variable. Multivariable models were adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS In bivariate analysis, detectable NET-EN was associated with reduced cervicovaginal M-CSF (P = 0.008), GM-CSF (P = 0.025) and G-CSF (P = 0.039), and elevated levels MIF (P = 0.008), IL-18 (P = 0.011), RANTES (P = 0.005) and IL-1Rα (P < 0.001). Lower G-CSF (P = 0.011) and elevated IL-1Rα (P = 0.008) remained significant in adjusted models. Multivariable analyses of plasma samples obtained from NET-EN-detectable women showed a significant increase in IP-10 (P = 0.026) and reductions in TNF-β (P = 0.037), RANTES (P = 0.009), and M-CSF (P < 0.001). While similar growth factor reduction in CVL was noted for both DMPA and NET-EN, similar trends were not observed for endogenous progesterone. CONCLUSIONS Detectable NET-EN was associated with reduced growth factors in the plasma and genital tract; particularly G-CSF and M-CSF. Our results suggest that while NET-EN is not inflammatory, it may have important immunological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Refilwe P Molatlhegi
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Samkelisiwe Ngcobo
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenine J P Liebenberg
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sinaye Ngcapu
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Amanda Mabhula
- African Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
| | - Alasdair Leslie
- African Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
| | - Nobuhle Mchunu
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Durban, South Africa.,School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Mthobisi M Zondi
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - John H Adamson
- African Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
| | - Katya Govender
- African Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
| | - Natasha Samsunder
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa
| | - Salim S Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Quarraisha Abdool Karim
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aida Sivro
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Lyle R McKinnon
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
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23
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HIV susceptibility in women: The roles of genital inflammation, sexually transmitted infections and the genital microbiome. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 145:103291. [PMID: 33647576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Given that heterosexual transmission of HIV across the genital mucosa is the most common route of infection in women, an in-depth understanding of the biological mechanisms associated with HIV risk in the female genital tract (FGT) is essential for effective control of the epidemic. Genital pro-inflammatory cytokines are well-described biological co-factors to HIV risk. Increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the FGT have been associated with a 3-fold higher-risk of acquiring HIV, presumably through involvement in barrier compromise and the recruitment of highly activated HIV target cells to the site of initial viral infection and replication. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV) are suggested possible contributors to genital inflammation in the FGT, and this, coupled with the relationship between genital inflammation and HIV risk, underscores the importance of effective treatment of STI and BV in the promotion of women's health. In most low- and middle-income countries, STIs are treated syndromically, a practice providing rapid treatment without identifying the infection source. However, this approach has been associated with over-diagnosis and the overuse of drugs. Further, because many women with STIs are asymptomatic, syndromic management also fails to treat a vast proportion of infected women. Although several studies have explored the role of STIs and the vaginal microbiome on genital inflammation and HIV risk, the impact of STI and BV management on genital inflammation remains poorly understood. This review aimed to collate the evidence on how BV and STI management efforts affect genital inflammation and the genital microbiome in women.
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24
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Mbuya W, Mcharo R, Mhizde J, Mnkai J, Mahenge A, Mwakatima M, Mwalongo W, Chiwerengo N, Hölscher M, Lennemann T, Saathoff E, Rwegoshora F, Torres L, Kroidl A, Geldmacher C, Held K, Chachage M. Depletion and activation of mucosal CD4 T cells in HIV infected women with HPV-associated lesions of the cervix uteri. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240154. [PMID: 33007050 PMCID: PMC7531815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of HPV-associated premalignant and malignant cervical lesions remains high in HIV+ women even under ART treatment. In order to identify possible underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, we studied activation and HIV co-receptor expression in cervical T-cell populations in relation to HIV, HPV and cervical lesion status. METHODS Cervical cytobrush (n = 468: 253 HIV- and 215 HIV+; 71% on ART) and blood (in a subset of 39 women) was collected from women in Mbeya, Tanzania. Clinical data on HIV and HPV infection, as well as ART status was collected. T cell populations were characterized using multiparametric flow cytometry-based on their expression of markers for cellular activation (HLA-DR), and memory (CD45RO), as well as HIV co-receptors (CCR5, α4β7). RESULTS Cervical and blood T cells differed significantly, with higher frequencies of T cells expressing CD45RO, as well as the HIV co-receptors CCR5 and α4β7 in the cervical mucosa. The skewed CD4/CD8 T cell ratio in blood of HIV+ women was mirrored in the cervical mucosa and HPV co-infection was linked to lower levels of mucosal CD4 T cells in HIV+ women (%median: 22 vs 32; p = 0.04). In addition, HIV and HPV infection, and especially HPV-associated cervical lesions were linked to significantly higher frequencies of HLA-DR+ CD4 and CD8 T cells (p-values < 0.05). Interestingly, HPV infection did not significantly alter frequencies of CCR5+ or α4β7+ CD4 T cells. CONCLUSION The increased proportion of activated cervical T cells associated with HPV and HIV infection, as well as HPV-associated lesions, together with the HIV-induced depletion of cervical CD4 T cells, may increase the risk for HPV infection, associated premalignant lesions and cancer in HIV+ women. Further, high levels of activated CD4 T cells associated with HPV and HPV-associated lesions could contribute to a higher susceptibility to HIV in HPV infected women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilbert Mbuya
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Ruby Mcharo
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
- University of Dar es Salaam -Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences (UDSM-MCHAS), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Jacklina Mhizde
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Jonathan Mnkai
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Anifrid Mahenge
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Maria Mwakatima
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Wolfram Mwalongo
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Nhamo Chiwerengo
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
| | - Michael Hölscher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tessa Lennemann
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Elmar Saathoff
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Arne Kroidl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christof Geldmacher
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Held
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mkunde Chachage
- National Institute for Medical Research–Mbeya Medical Research Centre (NIMR-MMRC), Mbeya, Tanzania
- University of Dar es Salaam -Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences (UDSM-MCHAS), Mbeya, Tanzania
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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25
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Elevation of cervical C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 levels is associated with HIV-1 acquisition in pregnant and postpartum women. AIDS 2020; 34:1725-1733. [PMID: 32701583 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between cervical cytokine/chemokine concentrations and HIV-1 acquisition in peripartum Kenyan women. DESIGN Nested case-control study. METHODS Women participating in a prospective study of peripartum HIV acquisition in Kenya (the Mama Salama Study), were tested for HIV-1 at 1-3 month intervals during pregnancy and through 9 months postpartum. Cases positive for HIV-1 RNA during follow-up (N = 14), were matched 3 : 1 with HIV-negative controls (N = 42) based on age, marital status, partner HIV-1 status, transactional sex, and timing of cervical swab collection. Concentrations of five cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ, and TNFα) and four chemokines (IL-8, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 α, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1 β) were measured from cervical swabs collected at the visit prior to HIV-1 diagnosis (cases) or matched gestational/postpartum time (controls). Cytokine/chemokine concentrations were compared between cases and controls using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Principal component analysis was used to create a summary score for closely correlated cytokines/chemokines. Associations with HIV-1 acquisition were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Path analysis was used to evaluate hypothesized relationships between CXCL10, vaginal washing, Nugent score, and HIV-1 acquisition. RESULTS Conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated an association between increased concentrations of CXCL10 and HIV-1 acquisition (odds ratio = 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.04, 2.93; P = 0.034). Path analysis confirmed a positive independent association between higher concentrations of CXCL10 and HIV-1 acquisition (path coefficient = 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.15, 0.59; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION HIV-1 acquisition was associated with increased cervical concentrations of CXCL10 in pregnant and postpartum women.
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26
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Britto AMA, Goes LR, Sivro A, Policarpo C, Meirelles ÂR, Furtado Y, Almeida G, Arthos J, Cicala C, Soares MA, Machado ES, Giannini ALM. HPV Induces Changes in Innate Immune and Adhesion Molecule Markers in Cervical Mucosa With Potential Impact on HIV Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2078. [PMID: 33013878 PMCID: PMC7494736 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
While most HPV infections are asymptomatic and clear spontaneously, persistent infection with high-risk HPVs is associated with cervical cancer and with increased risk of HIV acquisition. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, none has been confirmed. Our aim was to investigate the expression of host factors involved in the susceptibility to HIV infection among HPV-infected women. Cervical samples were collected to characterize the expression levels of HIV susceptibility markers in the mucosa of HPV-infected compared with HPV-uninfected women. No differences in the frequency of CCR5+, integrin α4β7+, activated and memory CD4+ T-cell were detected between the groups. We additionally evaluated the expression levels of genes involved in innate immune responses and in cell adhesion. HPV infected patients expressed higher levels of TLR9 and lower levels of pattern recognition receptors that recognize RNA (TLR3, TLR7, and MDA5/IFIH1). We also detected an impaired IFN pathway, with an increased Type I IFN and a decreased IFNα2 receptor expression. HPV+ samples displayed reduced expression of genes for adherens and tight junctions. Taken together, these results suggest that although HPV infection does not result in the recruitment/activation of susceptible CD4+ T-cell in the female genital tract, it leads to changes in the innate antiviral immune responses and in cell adhesion that are likely to favor HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Messala A Britto
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Livia R Goes
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Aida Sivro
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Durban, South Africa.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Medical Microbiology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Cintia Policarpo
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ângela R Meirelles
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Yara Furtado
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gutemberg Almeida
- Instituto de Ginecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - James Arthos
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Claudia Cicala
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Marcelo A Soares
- Programa de Oncovirologia, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth S Machado
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia M Giannini
- Laboratório de Genômica Funcional e Transdução de Sinal, Departamento de Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Happel AU, Varsani A, Balle C, Passmore JA, Jaspan H. The Vaginal Virome-Balancing Female Genital Tract Bacteriome, Mucosal Immunity, and Sexual and Reproductive Health Outcomes? Viruses 2020; 12:E832. [PMID: 32751611 PMCID: PMC7472209 DOI: 10.3390/v12080832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides bacteria, fungi, protists and archaea, the vaginal ecosystem also contains a range of prokaryote- and eukaryote-infecting viruses, which are collectively referred to as the "virome". Despite its well-described role in the gut and other environmental niches, the vaginal virome remains understudied. With a focus on sexual and reproductive health, we summarize the currently known components of the vaginal virome, its relationship with other constituents of the vaginal microbiota and its association with adverse health outcomes. While a range of eukaryote-infecting viruses has been described to be present in the female genital tract (FGT), few prokaryote-infecting viruses have been described. Literature suggests that various vaginal viruses interact with vaginal bacterial microbiota and host immunity and that any imbalance thereof may contribute to the risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes, including infertility and adverse birth outcomes. Current limitations of vaginal virome research include experimental and analytical constraints. Considering the vaginal virome may represent the missing link in our understanding of the relationship between FGT bacteria, mucosal immunity, and adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes, future studies evaluating the vaginal microbiome and its population dynamics holistically will be important for understanding the role of the vaginal virome in balancing health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Ursula Happel
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (C.B.); (J.-A.P.); (H.J.)
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center of Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, School of Life Sciences, Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287-5001, USA;
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Christina Balle
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (C.B.); (J.-A.P.); (H.J.)
| | - Jo-Ann Passmore
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (C.B.); (J.-A.P.); (H.J.)
- NRF-DST CAPRISA Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention, 719 Umbilo Road, Congella, Durban 4013, South Africa
- National Health Laboratory Service, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Heather Jaspan
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (C.B.); (J.-A.P.); (H.J.)
- Department of Pediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, 1510 San Juan Road NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Seattle Children’s Research Institute, 307 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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