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Das S, Konwar BK. Influence of connatural factors in shaping vaginal microflora and ensuring its health. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:871-886. [PMID: 37676318 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07200-8] [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] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Vaginal canal (VC) is exposed to the external environment affected by habitual factors like hygiene and sexual behaviour as well as physiological factors like puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, child birth and menopause. Healthy VC harbours beneficial microflora supported by vaginal epithelium and cervical fluid. Connatural antimicrobial peptide (AMPs) of female reproductive tract (FRT) conjunctly with these beneficial microbes provide protection from a large number of infectious diseases. Such infections may either be caused by native microbes of the VC or transitory microbes like bacteria or virus which are not a part of VC microflora. This review highlight's the role of hormones, enzymes, innate immunological factors, epithelial cells and vaginal mucus that support beneficial microbes over infectious ones thus, helping to maintain homeostasis in VC and further protect the FRT. We also discuss the prospective use of vaginal probiotics and AMPs against pathogens which can serve as a potential cure for vaginal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreaya Das
- Department of MBBT, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam, 784028, India.
| | - Bolin K Konwar
- Department of MBBT, Tezpur University, Napaam, Assam, 784028, India
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2
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Matějková T, Dodoková A, Kreisinger J, Stopka P, Stopková R. Microbial, proteomic, and metabolomic profiling of the estrous cycle in wild house mice. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0203723. [PMID: 38171017 PMCID: PMC10846187 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02037-23] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Symbiotic microbial communities affect the host immune system and produce molecules contributing to the odor of an individual. In many mammalian species, saliva and vaginal fluids are important sources of chemical signals that originate from bacterial metabolism and may act as honest signals of health and reproductive status. In this study, we aimed to define oral and vaginal microbiomes and their dynamics throughout the estrous cycle in wild house mice. In addition, we analyzed a subset of vaginal proteomes and metabolomes to detect potential interactions with microbiomes. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that both saliva and vagina are dominated by Firmicutes and Proteobacteria but differ at the genus level. The oral microbiome is more stable during the estrous cycle and most abundant bacteria belong to the genera Gemella and Streptococcus, while the vaginal microbiome shows higher bacterial diversity and dynamics during the reproductive cycle and is characterized by the dominance of Muribacter and Rodentibacter. These two genera cover around 50% of the bacterial community during estrus. Proteomic profiling of vaginal fluids revealed specific protein patterns associated with different estrous phases. Highly expressed proteins in estrus involve the keratinization process thus providing estrus markers (e.g., Hrnr) while some proteins are downregulated such as immune-related proteins that limit bacterial growth (Camp, Clu, Elane, Lyz2, and Ngp). The vaginal metabolome contains volatile compounds potentially involved in chemical communication, for example, ketones, aldehydes, and esters of carboxylic acids. Data integration of all three OMICs data sets revealed high correlations, thus providing evidence that microbiomes, host proteomes, and metabolomes may interact.IMPORTANCEOur data revealed dynamic changes in vaginal, but not salivary, microbiome composition during the reproductive cycle of wild mice. With multiple OMICs platforms, we provide evidence that changes in microbiota in the vaginal environment are accompanied by changes in the proteomic and metabolomics profiles of the host. This study describes the natural microbiota of wild mice and may contribute to a better understanding of microbiome-host immune system interactions during the hormonal and cellular changes in the female reproductive tract. Moreover, analysis of volatiles in the vaginal fluid shows particular substances that can be involved in chemical communication and reproductive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Matějková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Alica Dodoková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Jakub Kreisinger
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Pavel Stopka
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
| | - Romana Stopková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czechia
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3
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Nami Y, Haghshenas B, Javanmard A, Samari M, Mohammadi N, Oroojalian F, Mokhtarzadeh A. A critical review of the recent concept of artificial mechanical uterus design in relation to the maternal microbiome: An Update to past researches. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 156:103828. [PMID: 36796148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The microbiome in the female reproductive tract plays an essential role in immune modulation and reproductive health. However, various microbes become established during pregnancy, the balance of which plays a crucial role in embryonic development and healthy births. The contribution of disturbances in the microbiome profile to embryo health is poorly understood. A better understanding of the relationship between reproductive outcomes and the vaginal microbiota is needed to optimize the chances of healthy births. In this regards, microbiome dysbiosis refers to conditions in which the pathways of communication and balance within the normal microbiome are imbalanced due to the intrusion of pathogenic microorganisms into the reproductive system. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the natural human microbiome, with a focus on the natural uterine microbiome, mother-to-child transmission, dysbiosis, and the pattern of microbial change in pregnancy and parturition, and reviews the effects of artificial uterus probiotics during pregnancy. These effects can be studied in the sterile environment of an artificial uterus, and microbes with potential probiotic activity can be studied as a possible therapeutic approach. The artificial uterus is a technological device or biobag used as an incubator, allowing extracorporeal pregnancy. Establishing beneficial microbial communities within the artificial womb using probiotic species could modulate the immune system of both the fetus and the mother. The artificial womb could be used to select the best strains of probiotic species to fight infection with specific pathogens. Questions about the interactions and stability of the most appropriate probiotics, as well as dosage and duration of treatment, need to be answered before probiotics can be a clinical treatment in human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Nami
- Department of Food Biotechnology, Branch for Northwest & West Region, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tabriz, Iran
| | - Babak Haghshenas
- Regenerative Medicine Research Center (RMRC), Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Arash Javanmard
- Animal Genetics and Breeding, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, 5166616471 Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Mahya Samari
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Nahid Mohammadi
- Animal Genetics and Breeding, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, 5166616471 Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Oroojalian
- Department of Advanced Sciences and Technologies, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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4
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Fliniaux I, Marchand G, Molinaro C, Decloquement M, Martoriati A, Marin M, Bodart JF, Harduin-Lepers A, Cailliau K. Diversity of sialic acids and sialoglycoproteins in gametes and at fertilization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:982931. [PMID: 36340022 PMCID: PMC9630641 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.982931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are a family of 9-carbon monosaccharides with particular physicochemical properties. They modulate the biological functions of the molecules that carry them and are involved in several steps of the reproductive process. Sialoglycoproteins participate in the balance between species recognition and specificity, and the mechanisms of these aspects remain an issue in gametes formation and binding in metazoan reproduction. Sialoglycoproteins form a specific coat at the gametes surface and specific polysialylated chains are present on marine species oocytes. Spermatozoa are submitted to critical sialic acid changes in the female reproductive tract facilitating their migration, their survival through the modulation of the female innate immune response, and the final oocyte-binding event. To decipher the role of sialic acids in gametes and at fertilization, the dynamical changes of enzymes involved in their synthesis and removal have to be further considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Katia Cailliau
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576-UGSF-Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Lille, France
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5
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Zhao C, Yan S, Song Y, Xia X. Roles of Antimicrobial Peptides in Gynecological Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231710104. [PMID: 36077500 PMCID: PMC9456504 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231710104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are essential components of the mucosal barrier of the female reproductive tract (FRT) and are involved in many important physiological processes, including shaping the microbiota and maintaining normal reproduction and pregnancy. Gynecological cancers seriously threaten women's health and bring a heavy burden to society so that new strategies are needed to deal with these diseases. Recent studies have suggested that AMPs also have a complex yet intriguing relationship with gynecological cancers. The expression level of AMPs changes during tumor progression and they may act as promising biomarkers in cancer detection and prognosis prediction. Although AMPs have long been considered as host protective, they actually play a "double-edged sword" role in gynecological cancers, either tumorigenic or antitumor, depending on factors such as AMP and cancer types, as well as AMP concentrations. Moreover, AMPs are associated with chemoresistance and regulation of AMPs' expression may alter sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. However, more work is needed, especially on the identification of molecular mechanisms of AMPs in the FRT, as well as the clinical application of these AMPs in detection, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignancies.
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Sobstyl M, Brecht P, Sobstyl A, Mertowska P, Grywalska E. The Role of Microbiota in the Immunopathogenesis of Endometrial Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105756. [PMID: 35628566 PMCID: PMC9143279 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive tract hosts a specific microbiome, which plays a crucial role in sustaining equilibrium and good health. In the majority of reproductive women, the microbiota (all bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other single-celled organisms within the human body) of the vaginal and cervical microenvironment are dominated by Lactobacillus species, which benefit the host through symbiotic relationships, in comparison to the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, which may contain a low-biomass microbiome with a diverse mixture of microorganisms. Although disruption to the balance of the microbiota develops, the altered immune and metabolic signaling may cause an impact on diseases such as cancer. These pathophysiological modifications in the gut–uterus axis may spark gynecological cancers. New information displays that gynecological and gastrointestinal tract dysbiosis (disruption of the microbiota homeostasis) can play an active role in the advancement and metastasis of gynecological neoplasms, such as cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. Understanding the relationship between microbiota and endometrial cancer is critical for prognosis, diagnosis, prevention, and the development of innovative treatments. Identifying a specific microbiome may become an effective method for characterization of the specific microbiota involved in endometrial carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to summarize the current state of knowledge that describes the correlation of microbiota with endometrial cancer with regard to the formation of immunological pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Sobstyl
- Department of Gynecology and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-037 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Peet Brecht
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Anna Sobstyl
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.B.); (A.S.)
| | - Paulina Mertowska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.B.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (E.G.)
| | - Ewelina Grywalska
- Department of Experimental Immunology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (P.B.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence: (P.M.); (E.G.)
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7
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Wang Y, Wang X, Zhu M, Ge L, Liu X, Su K, Chen Z, Zhao W. The Interplay Between Cervicovaginal Microbial Dysbiosis and Cervicovaginal Immunity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:857299. [PMID: 35359942 PMCID: PMC8960256 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.857299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The cervicovaginal microbiota plays a key role in the health and reproductive outcomes of women. In reality epidemiological studies have demonstrated that there is an association between the structure of cervicovaginal microbiota and reproductive health, although key mechanistic questions regarding these effects remain unanswered and understanding the interplay between the immune system and the structure of the cervicovaginal microbiota. Here, we review existing literature relating to the potential mechanisms underlying the interaction between vaginal microbes and the immune system; we also describe the composition and function of the microbiome and explain the mechanisms underlying the interactions between these microbial communities and various aspects of the immune system. Finally, we also discuss the diseases that are caused by disorders of the reproductive tract and how the immune system is involved. Finally, based on the data presented in this review, the future perspectives in research directions and therapeutic opportunities are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoli Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Li Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaochen Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kaikai Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Zhengzheng Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Weidong Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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8
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Katiki M, Neetu N, Pratap S, Kumar P. Biochemical and structural basis for Moraxella catarrhalis enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) inhibition by triclosan and estradiol. Biochimie 2022; 198:8-22. [PMID: 35276316 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (ENR) is an established drug target and catalyzes the last reduction step of the fatty acid elongation cycle. Here, we report the crystal structures of FabI from Moraxella catarrhalis (McFabI) in the apo form, binary complex with NAD+ and ternary complex with NAD + -triclosan (TCL) determined at 2.36, 2.12 and 2.22 Å resolutions, respectively. The comparative study of these three structures revealed three different conformational states for the substrate-binding loop (SBL), including an unstructured intermediate, a structured intermediate and a closed conformation in the apo, binary and ternary complex forms, respectively; indicating the flexibility of SBL during the ligand binding. Virtual screening has suggested that estradiol cypionate may be a potential inhibitor of McFabI. Subsequently, estradiol (EST), the natural form of estradiol cypionate, was assessed for its FabI-binding and -inhibition properties. In vitro studies demonstrated that TCL and EST bind to McFabI with high affinity (KD = 0.038 ± 0.004 and 5 ± 0.06 μM respectively) and inhibit its activity (Ki = 62.93 ± 3.95 nM and 25.97 ± 1.93 μM respectively) and suppress the growth of M. catarrhalis. These findings reveal that TCL and EST inhibit the McFabI activity and thereby affect cell growth. This study suggests that estradiol may be exploited as a novel scaffold for the designing and development of more potential FabI inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhusudhanarao Katiki
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Neetu Neetu
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Shivendra Pratap
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India
| | - Pravindra Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 247667, India.
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9
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Vaginal delivery of vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 178:113956. [PMID: 34481031 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent estimates suggest that one in two sexually active individuals will acquire a sexually transmitted infection by age 25, an alarming statistic that amounts to over 1 million new infections per day worldwide. Vaccination against STIs is highly desirable for alleviating this global burden of disease. Vaginal immunization is a promising strategy to combat transmission via the vaginal mucosa. The vagina is typically considered a poor inductive site for common correlates of adaptive immunity. However, emerging evidence suggests that immune tolerance may be overcome by precisely engineered vaccination schemes that orchestrate cell-mediated immunity and establish tissue resident memory immune cells. In this review, we will discuss the unique immunological milieu of the vaginal mucosa and our current understanding of correlates of pathogenesis and protection for several common STIs. We then present a summary of recent vaginal vaccine studies and explore the role that mucosal adjuvants and delivery systems play in enhancing protection according to requisite features of immunity. Finally, we offer perspectives on the challenges and future directions of vaginal vaccine delivery, discussing remaining physiological barriers and innovative vaccine formulations that may overcome them.
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10
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Vagios S, Mitchell CM. Mutual Preservation: A Review of Interactions Between Cervicovaginal Mucus and Microbiota. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:676114. [PMID: 34327149 PMCID: PMC8313892 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.676114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
At mucosal surfaces throughout the body mucus and mucins regulate interactions between epithelia and both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Although the microbes in the female genital tract have been linked to multiple reproductive health outcomes, the role of cervicovaginal mucus in regulating genital tract microbes is largely unexplored. Mucus-microbe interactions could support the predominance of specific bacterial species and, conversely, commensal bacteria can influence mucus properties and its influence on reproductive health. Herein, we discuss the current evidence for both synergistic and antagonistic interactions between cervicovaginal mucus and the female genital tract microbiome, and how an improved understanding of these relationships could significantly improve women’s health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stylianos Vagios
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Caroline M Mitchell
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, United States
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11
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Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of the Human Endometrial Fluid during the Natural Cycle. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol 2021; 2021:8849664. [PMID: 34220191 PMCID: PMC8221874 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8849664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Some microbiota patterns have been associated with favorable IVF prognosis and others with pathological conditions. The endometrial fluid aspirate (EFA) contains antibacterial proteins that are enriched in implantative IVF cycles, but the antimicrobial effect of EFA has not been addressed. We aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the human endometrial fluid during the natural cycle. Methods EFA was obtained through an embryo transfer catheter in 38 women, aged 18-40 years, with regular cycles attending to a fertility clinic. The antimicrobial activity of EFAs was tested against two strains of Staphylococcus aureus; one strain each of Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae; and three yeasts (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida krusei). Results All samples exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In addition, 32.4% of EFAs were active against one of the other microorganisms assayed, 16.2% against two, and 5.4% against four of them. In contrast, none exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli or K. pneumoniae. The antimicrobial activity differs considerably between EFA samples, and we failed to observe a cycle-related pattern. Conclusions EFA presented two antimicrobial activity patterns: (a) one common to all the samples, exhibiting activity against S. aureus and lack of activity against E. coli and K. pneumoniae, and (b) an individualized pattern, showing activity against some of the other microorganisms tested. The intensity of antibacterial activity differs between EFA samples. Our data suggest that the uterine microbiota is controlled by means of endometrial fluid components.
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12
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Svanberg C, Ellegård R, Crisci E, Khalid M, Borendal Wodlin N, Svenvik M, Nyström S, Birse K, Burgener A, Shankar EM, Larsson M. Complement-Opsonized HIV Modulates Pathways Involved in Infection of Cervical Mucosal Tissues: A Transcriptomic and Proteomic Study. Front Immunol 2021; 12:625649. [PMID: 34093520 PMCID: PMC8173031 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.625649] [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: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Genital mucosal transmission is the most common route of HIV spread. The initial responses triggered at the site of viral entry are reportedly affected by host factors, especially complement components present at the site, and this will have profound consequences on the outcome and pathogenesis of HIV infection. We studied the initial events associated with host-pathogen interactions by exposing cervical biopsies to free or complement-opsonized HIV. Opsonization resulted in higher rates of HIV acquisition/infection in mucosal tissues and emigrating dendritic cells. Transcriptomic and proteomic data showed a significantly more pathways and higher expression of genes and proteins associated with viral replication and pathways involved in different aspects of viral infection including interferon signaling, cytokine profile and dendritic cell maturation for the opsonized HIV. Moreover, the proteomics data indicate a general suppression by the HIV exposure. This clearly suggests that HIV opsonization alters the initial signaling pathways in the cervical mucosa in a manner that promotes viral establishment and infection. Our findings provide a foundation for further studies of the role these early HIV induced events play in HIV pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Svanberg
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden
| | - Rada Ellegård
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden
| | - Elisa Crisci
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Khalid
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden
| | | | | | - Sofia Nyström
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, and Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kenzie Birse
- National HIV and Retrovirology Labs, JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Adam Burgener
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Esaki M Shankar
- Infection Biology, Department of Life Sciences, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, India
| | - Marie Larsson
- Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Raleigh, NC, Sweden
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Women remain disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The primary mechanism for HIV acquisition in women is sexual transmission, yet the immunobiological factors that contribute to HIV susceptibility remain poorly characterized. Here, we review current knowledge on HIV pathogenesis in women, focusing on infection and immune responses in the female reproductive tract (FRT). RECENT FINDINGS We describe recent findings on innate immune protection and HIV target cell distribution in the FRT. We also review multiple factors that modify susceptibility to infection, including sex hormones, microbiome, trauma, and how HIV risk changes during women's life cycle. Finally, we review current strategies for HIV prevention and identify barriers for research in HIV infection and pathogenesis in women. A complex network of interrelated biological and sociocultural factors contributes to HIV risk in women and impairs prevention and cure strategies. Understanding how HIV establishes infection in the FRT can provide clues to develop novel interventions to prevent HIV acquisition in women.
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14
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Saba I, Barat C, Chabaud S, Reyjon N, Leclerc M, Jakubowska W, Orabi H, Lachhab A, Pelletier M, Tremblay MJ, Bolduc S. Immunocompetent Human 3D Organ-Specific Hormone-Responding Vaginal Mucosa Model of HIV-1 Infection. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:152-166. [PMID: 33573474 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of appropriate experimental models often limits our ability to investigate the establishment of infections in specific tissues. To reproduce the structural and spatial organization of vaginal mucosae to study human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection, we used the self-assembly technique to bioengineer tridimensional vaginal mucosae using human cells extracted from HIV-1-negative healthy pre- and postmenopausal donors. We produced a stroma, free of exogenous material, that can be adapted to generate near-to-native vaginal tissue with the best complexity obtained with seeded epithelial cells on the organ-specific stroma. The autologous engineered tissues had mechanical properties close to native mucosa and shared similar glycogen production, which declined in reconstructed tissues of the postmenopausal donor. The in vitro-engineered tissues were also rendered immune competent by adding human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) on the epithelium or in the stroma layers. The model was infected with HIV-1, and viral replication and transcytosis were observed when immunocompetent reconstructed vaginal mucosa tissue has incorporated MDMs into the stroma and infected with free HIV-1 green fluorescent protein (GFP) viral particles. These data illustrate a natural permissiveness of immunocompetent untransformed human vaginal mucosae to HIV-1 infection. This model offers a physiological tool to explore viral load, HIV-1 transmission in an environment that may contribute to the virus propagation, and new antiviral treatments in vitro. Impact statement This study introduces an innovative immunocompetent three-dimensional human organ-specific vaginal mucosa free of exogenous material for in vitro modeling of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection. The proposed model is histologically close to native tissue, especially by presenting glycogen accumulation in the epithelium's superficial cells, responsive to estrogen, and able to sustain a monocyte-derived macrophage population infected or not by HIV-1 during ∼2 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Saba
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Corinne Barat
- Infectious and Immune Diseases, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Stéphane Chabaud
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Nolan Reyjon
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Maude Leclerc
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Weronika Jakubowska
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Hazem Orabi
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada
| | - Asmaa Lachhab
- Infectious and Immune Diseases, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Martin Pelletier
- Infectious and Immune Diseases, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Michel J Tremblay
- Infectious and Immune Diseases, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bolduc
- Centre de Recherche en Organogenèse Expérimentale de l'Université Laval/LOEX, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Axe Médecine Régénératrice, Québec City, Canada.,Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Canada
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15
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Hong X, Qin P, Yin J, Shi Y, Xuan Y, Chen Z, Zhou X, Yu H, Peng D, Wang B. Clinical Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Associations With the Vaginal Microbiome: A Cross-Sectional Based Exploratory Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:662725. [PMID: 33967963 PMCID: PMC8104084 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.662725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies suggest that the vaginal microbiome is associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the clinical manifestations of PCOS are heterogeneous. Whether the vaginal microbiome is related with different clinical symptoms was unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 89 female patients with PCOS admitted to Zhongda Hospital (Nanjing, China) were included. Basic demographic information, health-related behaviors, clinical manifestations and sex hormone levels were comprehensively recorded for all patients. Vaginal swabs were acquired for microbiota sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS The prevalence of bacterial vaginitis and vulvovaginal candidiasis was 15.7% and 13.5%, respectively, within the PCOS patients, which were the most important factors affecting the vaginal microbiome (permutational multivariate analysis of variance test, R2 = 0.108, P = 0.001). The vaginal microbiome was associated with specific clinical manifestations of PCOS, including acanthosis nigricans, intermenstrual bleeding, pregnancy history, testosterone level and anti-müllerian hormone level, with P values < 0.05. The abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus was higher (P = 0.010) while that of Lactobacillus iners was lower (P = 0.036) among PCOS patients with elevated testosterone levels. Other potential bacterial biomarkers were not statistically significant after adjusting for confounding factors. No evidence of associations of other common manifestations of PCOS, such as obesity and acne, with the vaginal microbiome was obtained. CONCLUSION Vaginal bacterial species among PCOS patients with variable clinical manifestations, especially differences in testosterone levels, are distinct. Further studies are essential to investigate the microbiota and molecular mechanisms underpinning this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Hong
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengfei Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiechen Yin
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xuan
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengqi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danhong Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhong Da Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Bei Wang, ; Danhong Peng,
| | - Bei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Bei Wang, ; Danhong Peng,
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16
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Rosca AS, Castro J, Sousa LGV, Cerca N. Gardnerella and vaginal health: the truth is out there. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2020; 44:73-105. [PMID: 31697363 DOI: 10.1093/femsre/fuz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The human vagina is a dynamic ecosystem in which homeostasis depends on mutually beneficial interactions between the host and their microorganisms. However, the vaginal ecosystem can be thrown off balance by a wide variety of factors. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age but its etiology is not yet fully understood, with different controversial theories being raised over the years. What is generally accepted is that BV is often characterized by a shift in the composition of the normal vaginal microbiota, from a Lactobacillus species dominated microbiota to a mixture of anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria. During BV, a polymicrobial biofilm develops in the vaginal microenvironment, being mainly composed of Gardnerella species. The interactions between vaginal microorganisms are thought to play a pivotal role in the shift from health to disease and might also increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections acquisition. Here, we review the current knowledge regarding the specific interactions that occur in the vaginal niche and discuss mechanisms by which these interactions might be mediated. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of novel strategies to fight chronic vaginal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliona S Rosca
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Castro
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Lúcia G V Sousa
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Batra V, Dagar K, Nayak S, Kumaresan A, Kumar R, Datta TK. A Higher Abundance of O-Linked Glycans Confers a Selective Advantage to High Fertile Buffalo Spermatozoa for Immune-Evasion From Neutrophils. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1928. [PMID: 32983120 PMCID: PMC7483552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycans on the plasma membrane of cells manifest as the glycocalyx, which serves as an information-rich frontier that is directly in contact with its immediate milieu. The glycoconjugates (GCs) that adorn most of the mammalian cells are also abundant in gametes, especially the spermatozoa where they perform unique reproduction-specific functions e.g., inter-cellular recognition and communication. This study aimed to implicate the sperm glycosylation pattern as one of the factors responsible for low conception rates observed in buffalo bulls. We hypothesized that a differential abundance of glycans exists on the spermatozoa from bulls of contrasting fertilizing abilities endowing them with differential immune evasion abilities. Therefore, we investigated the role of glycan abundance in the phagocytosis and NETosis rates exhibited by female neutrophils (PMNs) upon exposure to such spermatozoa. Our results indicated that the spermatozoa from high fertile (HF) bulls possessed a higher abundance of O-linked glycans e.g., galactosyl (β-1,3)N-acetylgalactosamine and N-linked glycans like [GlcNAc]1-3, N-acetylglucosamine than the low fertile (LF) bull spermatozoa. This differential glycomic endowment appeared to affect the spermiophagy and NETosis rates exhibited by the female neutrophil cells (PMNs). The mean percentage of phagocytizing PMNs was significantly different (P < 0.0001) for HF and LF bulls, 28.44 and 59.59%, respectively. Furthermore, any introduced perturbations in the inherent sperm glycan arrangements promoted phagocytosis by PMNs. For example, after in vitro capacitation the mean phagocytosis rate (MPR) rate in spermatozoa from HF bulls significantly increased to 66.49% (P < 0.01). Likewise, the MPR increased to 70.63% (p < 0.01) after O-glycosidase & α2-3,6,8,9 Neuraminidase A treatment of spermatozoa from HF bulls. Moreover, the percentage of PMNs forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was significantly higher, 41.47% when exposed to spermatozoa from LF bulls vis-à-vis the spermatozoa from HF bulls, 15.46% (P < 0.0001). This is a pioneer report specifically demonstrating the role of O-linked glycans in the immune responses mounted against spermatozoa. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted to provide the measures to diagnose the sub-fertile phenotype thus preventing the losses incurred by incorrect selection of morphologically normal sperm in the AI/IVF reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Komal Dagar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Samiksha Nayak
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenelogy Laboratory, SRS of National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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18
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Kaur H, Merchant M, Haque MM, Mande SS. Crosstalk Between Female Gonadal Hormones and Vaginal Microbiota Across Various Phases of Women's Gynecological Lifecycle. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:551. [PMID: 32296412 PMCID: PMC7136476 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional equilibrium between vaginal microbiota and the host is important for maintaining gynecological and reproductive health. Apart from host genetics, infections, changes in diet, life-style and hygiene status are known to affect this delicate state of equilibrium. More importantly, the gonadal hormones strongly influence the overall structure and function of vaginal microbiota. Several studies have attempted to understand (a) the composition of vaginal microbiota in specific stages of women's reproductive cycle as well as in menopause (b) their association with gonadal hormones, and their potential role in manifestation of specific health conditions (from the perspective of cause/consequence). However, a single study that places, in context, the structural variations of the vaginal microbiome across the entire life-span of women's reproductive cycle and during various stages of menopause is currently lacking. With the objective to obtain a holistic overview of the community dynamics of vaginal micro-environment 'across' various stages of women's reproductive and post-reproductive life-cycle, we have performed a meta-analysis of approximately 1,000 vaginal microbiome samples representing various stages of the reproductive cycle and menopausal states. Objectives of this analysis included (a) understanding temporal changes in vaginal community taxonomic structure and composition as women pass through various reproductive and menopausal stages (b) exploring correlations between the levels of female sex hormones with vaginal microbiome diversity (c) analyzing changes in the pattern of community diversity in cases of dysbiotic conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, and viewing the analyzed changes in the context of a healthy state. Results reveal interesting temporal trends with respect to vaginal microbial community diversity and its pattern of correlation with host physiology. Results indicate significant differences in alpha-diversity and overall vaginal microbial community members in various reproductive and post-reproductive phases. In addition to reinforcing the known influence/role of gonadal hormones in maintaining gynecological health, results indicate how hormonal level perturbations cause/contribute to imbalances in vaginal microbiota. The nature of resulting dysbiotic state and its influence on vaginal health is also analyzed and discussed. Results also suggest that elevated vaginal microbial diversity in pregnancy does not necessarily indicate a state of bacterial infection. The study puts forward a hormone-level driven microbiome diversity hypothesis for explaining temporal patterns in vaginal microbial diversity during various stages of women's reproductive cycle and at menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sharmila S. Mande
- Bio-Sciences R&D Division, TCS Research, Tata Consultancy Services, Pune, India
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19
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Azkargorta M, Bregón-Villahoz M, Escobes I, Ibáñez-Pérez J, Iloro I, Iglesias M, Diez-Zapirain M, Rabanal A, Prieto B, Moragues MD, Matorras R, Elortza F. In-depth proteomics and natural peptidomics analyses reveal antibacterial peptides in human endometrial fluid. J Proteomics 2020; 216:103652. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2020.103652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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20
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Iqbal Z, Dilnawaz F. Nanocarriers For Vaginal Drug Delivery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 13:3-15. [PMID: 30767755 DOI: 10.2174/1872211313666190215141507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaginal drug delivery approach represents one of the imperative strategies for local and systemic delivery of drugs. The peculiar dense vascular networks, mucus permeability, and range of physiological characteristics of the vaginal cavity have been exploited for therapeutic benefit. Furthermore, the vaginal drug delivery has been curtailed due to the influence of different physiological factors like acidic pH, constant cervical secretion, microflora, cyclic changes during periods along with turnover of mucus of varying thickness. OBJECTIVE This review highlights advancement of nanomedicine and its prospective progress towards the clinic. METHODS Relevant literature reports and patents related to topics are retrieved and used. RESULT The extensive literature search and patent revealed that nanocarriers are efficacious over conventional treatment approaches. CONCLUSION Recently, nanotechnology based drug delivery approach has promised better therapeutic outcomes by providing enhanced permeation and sustained drug release activity. Different nanoplatforms based on drugs, peptides, proteins, antigens, hormones, nucleic material, and microbicides are gaining momentum for vaginal therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeenat Iqbal
- Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-110062, India
| | - Fahima Dilnawaz
- Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Bhubaneswar -751023, Odisha, India
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21
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Kalia N, Singh J, Kaur M. Immunopathology of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Infections: New Aspects and Research Directions. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2034. [PMID: 31555269 PMCID: PMC6722227 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent vulvovaginal infections (RVVI), a devastating group of mucosal infection, are severely affecting women's quality of life. Our understanding of the vaginal defense mechanisms have broadened recently with studies uncovering the inflammatory nature of bacterial vaginosis, inflammatory responses against novel virulence factors, innate Type 17 cells/IL-17 axis, neutrophils mediated killing of pathogens by a novel mechanism, and oxidative stress during vaginal infections. However, the pathogens have fine mechanisms to subvert or manipulate the host immune responses, hijack them and use them for their own advantage. The odds of hijacking increases, due to impaired immune responses, the net magnitude of which is the result of numerous genetic variations, present in multiple host genes, detailed in this review. Thus, by underlining the role of the host immune responses in disease etiology, modern research has clarified a major hypothesis shift in the pathophilosophy of RVVI. This knowledge can further be used to develop efficient immune-based diagnosis and treatment strategies for this enigmatic disease conditions. As for instance, plasma-derived MBL replacement, adoptive T-cell, and antibody-based therapies have been reported to be safe and efficacious in infectious diseases. Therefore, these emerging immune-therapies could possibly be the future therapeutic options for RVVI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namarta Kalia
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
| | - Jatinder Singh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
| | - Manpreet Kaur
- Department of Human Genetics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India
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22
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Tecle E, Reynoso HS, Wang R, Gagneux P. The female reproductive tract contains multiple innate sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) that facilitate sperm survival. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11910-11919. [PMID: 31201275 PMCID: PMC6682739 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A sperm that fertilizes an egg has successfully survived multiple checkpoints within the female reproductive tract, termed pre-fertilization events. The leukocytic response is a pre-fertilization event in which sperm trigger an immune response that promotes homing of circulating leukocytes to the uterine lumen to destroy most sperm. Various glycoconjugates decorate the sperm surface, including sialic acids, which are abundant at the sperm surface where they cap most glycan chains and regulate sperm migration through cervical mucus, formation of the sperm oviductal reservoir, and sperm capacitation. However, the role of sperm-associated sialic acids in the leukocytic reaction remains unknown. The cognate endogenous binding partners of sialic acids, sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) play a pivotal role in regulating many immune responses. Here we investigated whether sperm-associated sialic acids inhibit activation of neutrophils, one of the major immune cells involved in the leukocytic reaction. We used in vitro interactions between sperm and neutrophils as well as binding assays between sperm and recombinant Siglec-Fc chimeric proteins to measure interactions. Moreover, we examined whether Siglecs are expressed on human and mouse endometria, which have a role in initiating the leukocytic reaction. Surprisingly less sialylated, capacitated, sperm did not increase neutrophil activation in vitro However, we observed expression of several Siglecs on the endometrium and that these receptors interact with sialylated sperm. Our results indicate that sperm sialic acids may interact with endometrial Siglecs and that these interactions facilitate sperm survival in the face of female immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eillen Tecle
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Hector Sequoyah Reynoso
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Ruixuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Pascal Gagneux
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
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23
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Schönfeld M, Knackmuss U, Chandorkar P, Hörtnagl P, Hope TJ, Moris A, Bellmann-Weiler R, Lass-Flörl C, Posch W, Wilflingseder D. Co- but not Sequential Infection of DCs Boosts Their HIV-Specific CTL-Stimulatory Capacity. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1123. [PMID: 31178863 PMCID: PMC6542955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01123] [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: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic bacteria and their microbial products activate dendritic cells (DCs) at mucosal surfaces during sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and therefore might also differently shape DC functions during co-infection with HIV-1. We recently illustrated that complement (C) coating of HIV-1 (HIV-C), as primarily found during the acute phase of infection before appearance of HIV-specific antibodies, by-passed SAMHD1-mediated restriction in DCs and therefore mediated an increased DC activation and antiviral capacity. To determine whether the superior antiviral effects of HIV-C-exposed DCs also apply during STIs, we developed a co-infection model in which DCs were infected with Chlamydia spp. simultaneously (HIV-C/Chlam-DCs or HIV/Chlam-DCs) or a sequential infection model, where DCs were exposed to Chlamydia for 3 or 24 h (Chlam-DCs) followed by HIV-1 infection. Co-infection of DCs with HIV-1 and Chlamydia significantly boosted the CTL-stimulatory capacity compared to HIV-1-loaded iDCs and this boost was independent on the opsonization pattern. This effect was lost in the sequential infection model, when opsonized HIV-1 was added delayed to Chlamydia-loaded DCs. The reduction in the CTL-stimulatory capacity of Chlam-DCs was not due to lower HIV-1 binding or infection compared to iDCs or HIV-C/Chlam-DCs, but due to altered fusion and internalization mechanisms within DCs. The CTL-stimulatory capacity of HIV-C in Chlam-DCs correlated with significantly reduced viral fusion compared to iDCs and HIV-C/Chlam-DCs and illustrated considerably increased numbers of HIV-C-containing vacuoles than iDCs. The data indicate that Chlamydia co-infection of DCs mediates a transient boost of their HIV-specific CTL-stimulatory and antiviral capacity, while in the sequential infection model this is reversed and associated with hazard to the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Schönfeld
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulla Knackmuss
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Parul Chandorkar
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Paul Hörtnagl
- Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunological Department, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas John Hope
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Arnaud Moris
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Center for Immunology and Microbial Infections - CIMI-Paris, Paris, France.,Institute for Integrative Biology of the Cell (I2BC), CEA, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Rosa Bellmann-Weiler
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wilfried Posch
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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24
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Buckner LR, Drobnis EZ, Augustine MS, Rogers LK, Akers J, Mott PD, Hope TJ, Quayle AJ, Schust DJ. Cervical and systemic concentrations of long acting hormonal contraceptive (LARC) progestins depend on delivery method: Implications for the study of HIV transmission. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214152. [PMID: 31095572 PMCID: PMC6522049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Progestin-only long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are increasingly popular among women seeking contraception; however, recent epidemiological studies suggest that systemically administered medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) may increase HIV acquisition. In order to determine the exact mechanisms underlying increases in transmission specific to MPA use and to test safer, alternative contraceptive progestin types and delivery methods, in vitro modeling studies must be performed. To achieve this, it is imperative that accurate hormone concentrations be utilized when modeling progestin-mediated outcomes, as the down-stream effects are dose-dependent. The local concentrations of progestins to which the lower female genital tract tissues are exposed after initiation of LARCs are unknown, but they likely differ from peripheral concentrations, dependent upon the progestin type and delivery method. Here, we measured in vivo endocervical and plasma concentrations of (1) systemically-delivered depo MPA (DMPA), (2) levonorgestrel (LNG) delivered via intrauterine system (IUS) and (3) etonogestrel (ETG) delivered via vaginal ring in women who recently initiated contraception treatment. Levels of ETG and LNG in cervical secretions were 100–200 fold higher than plasma levels. In contrast, measurable MPA levels were approximately 10-fold higher in plasma compared to cervical secretions. These results will inform the design of accurate in vitro studies on the influence of progestins on epithelial cells, tissue explants, and peripheral blood cells, to be able to better predict in vivo outcomes. Subsequent observations will aid in determining how MPA might influence HIV acquisition and may facilitate identification of optimal progestin-containing LARC alternatives for women at high risk for HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey R. Buckner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Erma Z. Drobnis
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States of America
| | - Molly S. Augustine
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Lynette K. Rogers
- The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Jill Akers
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States of America
| | - Patricia D. Mott
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Thomas J. Hope
- Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States of America
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Tyo KM, Minooei F, Curry KC, NeCamp SM, Graves DL, Fried JR, Steinbach-Rankins JM. Relating Advanced Electrospun Fiber Architectures to the Temporal Release of Active Agents to Meet the Needs of Next-Generation Intravaginal Delivery Applications. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E160. [PMID: 30987206 PMCID: PMC6523330 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11040160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrospun fibers have emerged as a relatively new delivery platform to improve active agent retention and delivery for intravaginal applications. While uniaxial fibers have been explored in a variety of applications including intravaginal delivery, the consideration of more advanced fiber architectures may offer new options to improve delivery to the female reproductive tract. In this review, we summarize the advancements of electrospun coaxial, multilayered, and nanoparticle-fiber architectures utilized in other applications and discuss how different material combinations within these architectures provide varied durations of release, here categorized as either transient (within 24 h), short-term (24 h to one week), or sustained (beyond one week). We seek to systematically relate material type and fiber architecture to active agent release kinetics. Last, we explore how lessons derived from these architectures may be applied to address the needs of future intravaginal delivery platforms for a given prophylactic or therapeutic application. The overall goal of this review is to provide a summary of different fiber architectures that have been useful for active agent delivery and to provide guidelines for the development of new formulations that exhibit release kinetics relevant to the time frames and the diversity of active agents needed in next-generation multipurpose applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Tyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
| | - Farnaz Minooei
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Keegan C Curry
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Sarah M NeCamp
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Danielle L Graves
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Joel R Fried
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
| | - Jill M Steinbach-Rankins
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- Center for Predictive Medicine, Louisville, KY 40202, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, Speed School of Engineering, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA.
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26
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Pisano S, Giustiniani M, Francis L, Gonzalez D, Margarit L, Sheldon IM, Paolino D, Fresta M, Conlan RS, Healey GD. Liquid crystal delivery of ciprofloxacin to treat infections of the female reproductive tract. Biomed Microdevices 2019; 21:36. [PMID: 30923927 PMCID: PMC6439215 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-019-0385-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Infections of the female reproductive tract are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans, requiring significant investment to sustain treatment and representing a major challenge to health. The increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance, and an almost complete absence of new antibiotic therapies for the past five decades, mean there is a desperate need for novel approaches to the treatment of bacterial infections. Within the present study, we demonstrate the effective ex vivo treatment of bacterial infection of the female reproductive tract using a controlled-release, liquid crystal-based platform. Liquid crystal encapsulation of ciprofloxacin significantly enhanced its bactericidal efficacy and reduced cell toxicity. Liquid crystal structures are low-cost, simple to manufacture and provide a sustained-release profile of encapsulated ciprofloxacin. Treatment of Escherichia coli infected reproductive tract epithelial cells and whole organ cultures with liquid crystal encapsulated ciprofloxacin proved to be an effective strategy for reducing bacterial load and reproductive tract inflammatory responses to infection. These data suggest that such an approach could provide an efficacious treatment modality for enhancing the effectiveness of current antibiotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Pisano
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Matteo Giustiniani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Inter-Regional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lewis Francis
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Deyarina Gonzalez
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Lavinia Margarit
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
- Obstetrics & Gynecology Department Princess of Wales Hospital, Abertawe Bro Morannwg University Health Board, Coity Road, Bridgend, CF31 1RQ, UK
| | - I Martin Sheldon
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Donatella Paolino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Inter-Regional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Massimo Fresta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Inter-Regional Research Center for Food Safety & Health, University of Catanzaro "Magna Græcia", Viale "S. Venuta", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - R Steven Conlan
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Gareth D Healey
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK.
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27
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Álamos-Musre AS, Escobar A, Tapia CV, Christodoulides M, Rodas PI. Use of Human Fallopian Tube Organ in Culture (FTOC) and Primary Fallopian Tube Epithelial Cells (FTEC) to Study the Biology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1997:377-402. [PMID: 31119635 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9496-0_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cells represent one of the most important physical barriers to many bacterial pathogens. In the case of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the epithelial cell response is critical because they are the main target of the tissue damage triggered by the pathogen, particularly when the organism reaches the Fallopian tube (FT). Although the irreversible damage triggered by N. gonorrhoeae in the FT has been previously reported (ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility), the mechanisms of gonococcal-induced tissue damage are not fully understood. In addition, the lack of animal models that efficiently mimic the human disease and the complexity of gonococcus-host interactions make studying gonococcal pathogenesis particularly difficult. The use of human immortalized cells is also limited, since a variety of commercial FT cell lines is not yet available. Finally, the phase and antigenic variation of many gonococcal surface molecules involved in attachment and invasion of epithelial tissues leads to a failure to reproduce results using different human cells lines used in previous studies. The FT organ in culture (FTOC) and primary human fallopian tube epithelial cell (FTEC) represent the closest ex vivo cell models to explore the biology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae during infection of the FT, since it is a natural host target of the gonococcus. In this chapter, we describe protocols to process human FT samples to obtain FTOC and FTEC and assess their response to infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Said Álamos-Musre
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Concepción, Región del Bío-Bío, Chile
| | - Alejandro Escobar
- Laboratorio Biología celular y molecular, Instituto de Ciencias Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Cecilia V Tapia
- Laboratorio de Especialidad, Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Molecular Microbiology Group, Academic Unit of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Paula I Rodas
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Pathogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Andres Bello, Concepción, Región del Bío-Bío, Chile.
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28
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Castro J, Jefferson KK, Cerca N. Innate immune components affect growth and virulence traits of bacterial-vaginosis-associated and non-bacterial-vaginosis-associated Gardnerella vaginalis strains similarly. Pathog Dis 2018; 76:5289865. [PMID: 30649289 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/fty089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mucosal surfaces of the female reproductive tract contain a variety of antimicrobial components that provide the first line of defense against bacteria involved in the development of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Microbiological analysis of BV has shown Gardnerella vaginalis to be a prominent species in BV development. However, G. vaginalis colonization does not always lead to BV. Over the last decade, phenotypic and genotypic studies have demonstrated the existence of strain variants. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate if the major components of the vaginal immune response, specifically lysozyme, lactoferrin and β-defensin 2, differently affected virulence traits of G. vaginalis strains isolated from healthy women or from women with BV. Gardnerella vaginalis strains were first genotyped by the clade classification system and then phenotypically characterized. Our results revealed that key differences in initial adhesion existed among the isolates but that these differences could not be predicted using the clade-genotyping approach. Importantly, we found that growth, initial adhesion and biofilm formation were strongly affected by lysozymes, but at similar levels in both groups, suggesting that the response to host immune components is not a distinguishing characteristic of isolates from women with BV versus those from healthy women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Castro
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Kimberly K Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, USA
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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29
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Li HM, Sung FC, Li SC, Huang YK, Chang Y, Chang CC, Huang SJ, Lin CL, Kao CH. The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis for acute pelvic inflammatory disease after hysterosalpingography: a retrospective cohort study. Curr Med Res Opin 2018; 34:1271-1276. [PMID: 29239678 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2017.1417243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Concerns about acute pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after hysterosalpingography (HSG) have been raised since 1980. However, the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in women undergoing HSG. METHODS Women undergoing HSG between 2000 and 2012 were screened from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database for eligibility. The prophylactic cohort included patients using any antibiotics of 1st-generation cephalosporins, doxycycline, clindamycin, and metronidazole, within 7 days before HSG (n = 3257). Patients not using any antibiotics were registered as the non-prophylactic cohort (n = 4662). An unconditional logistic regression model was applied to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of acute PID after HSG associated with prophylactic antibiotics. RESULTS The cumulative incidences of acute PID after HSG were 0.46% and 1.42% in the prophylactic and non-prophylactic cohorts, respectively. Prophylactic patients had a significantly reduced estimated relative risk of acute PID compared with non-prophylactic patients (adjusted OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.19-0.58; p = .001). Doxycycline users had the lowest adjusted OR of 0.20 (95% CI = 0.04-0.81; p = .02), followed by users of 1st-generation cephalosporins (adjusted OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.18-0.68; p = .002). Multivariate sub-group analysis verified this protective effect for almost all sub-groups of prophylactic patients. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotic prophylaxis is associated with a decreased estimated relative risk of acute PID in HSG patients. Doxycycline and 1st-generation cephalosporins may be effective prophylactic regimens for HSG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao-Ming Li
- a Department of Radiology , E-Da Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chang Sung
- b Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan
| | - Shang-Chieh Li
- a Department of Radiology , E-Da Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Ying-Kai Huang
- c Department of Radiology , Kaohsiung Municipal Min-Sheng Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Yu Chang
- d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , E-Da Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - Chi-Chang Chang
- d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , E-Da Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
- e School of Medicine , I-Shou University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
| | - S Joseph Huang
- d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , E-Da Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
- e School of Medicine , I-Shou University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
- f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine , University of South Florida , Tampa , FL , USA
| | - Cheng-Li Lin
- b Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan
- g College of Medicine , China Medical University , Taichung , Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hung Kao
- h Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, School of Medicine, College of Medicine , China Medical University , Taichung , Taiwan
- i Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center , China Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan
- j Department of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering , Asia University , Taichung , Taiwan
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30
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Nickodem C, Criscitiello MF, Bazer F, Abiodun-Ojo O, Taylor BD. Interferon epsilon in the reproductive tract of healthy and genital herpes simplex virus-infected pregnant women: Results of a pilot study. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 80:e12995. [PMID: 29905034 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Recently characterized interferon epsilon (IFNe) protects against sexually transmitted infections, including genital herpes simplex virus (HSV), in animal models. There are no reports of IFNe in genital tract secretions of pregnant women, and data on IFNe in non-pregnant women are limited. This pilot study is the first to measure concentrations of IFNe in vaginal and cervical secretions during pregnancy and compare values between healthy and genital HSV-infected women. METHOD OF STUDY Vaginal or cervical specimens from 30 pregnant women were obtained from the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS) repository. Cervical samples were collected during the first trimester and vaginal samples across pregnancy. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined concentrations of IFNe (pg/mL). Data for IFNe were log-transformed and compared by maternal demographics, clinical variables, and HSV status using t tests and linear regression. Repeated measures analysis explored trends across pregnancy. RESULTS Among the entire cohort, first trimester concentrations of IFNe in vaginal or cervical secretions decreased as body mass index increased (β = -0.14, P = .0466). Concentrations of vaginal IFNe increased across pregnancy in HSV-infected and healthy women (P = .009). Average vaginal IFNe across pregnancy was lower in women with HSV compared to healthy women (P = .0009). CONCLUSION Interferon epsilon increased across pregnancy, but was less abundant in women with HSV. This pilot investigation cannot make any definitive conclusions. However, animal models suggest that IFNe may protect against STIs. Thus, larger studies are required to validate expression of IFNe in the reproductive tract of pregnant women with and without genital infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colette Nickodem
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Michael F Criscitiello
- Comparative Immunogenetics Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.,Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Fuller Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Olayinka Abiodun-Ojo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Brandie D Taylor
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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31
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Valenti P, Rosa L, Capobianco D, Lepanto MS, Schiavi E, Cutone A, Paesano R, Mastromarino P. Role of Lactobacilli and Lactoferrin in the Mucosal Cervicovaginal Defense. Front Immunol 2018; 9:376. [PMID: 29545798 PMCID: PMC5837981 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The innate defense system of the female mucosal genital tract involves a close and complex interaction among the healthy vaginal microbiota, different cells, and various proteins that protect the host from pathogens. Vaginal lactobacilli and lactoferrin represent two essential actors in the vaginal environment. Lactobacilli represent the dominant bacterial species able to prevent facultative and obligate anaerobes outnumber in vaginal microbiota maintaining healthy microbial homeostasis. Several mechanisms underlie the protection exerted by lactobacilli: competition for nutrients and tissue adherence, reduction of the vaginal pH, modulation of immunity, and production of bioactive compounds. Among bioactive factors of cervicovaginal mucosa, lactoferrin, an iron-binding cationic glycoprotein, is a multifunctional glycoprotein with antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiparasitic activities, recently emerging as an important modulator of inflammation. Lactobacilli and lactoferrin are largely under the influence of female hormones and of paracrine production of various cytokines. Lactoferrin is strongly increased in lower genital tract mucosal fluid of women affected by Neisseria gonorrheae, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Trichomonas vaginalis infections promoting both innate and adaptive immune responses. In vaginal dysbiosis characterized by low amounts of vaginal lactobacilli and increased levels of endogenous anaerobic bacteria, the increase in lactoferrin could act as an immune modulator assuming the role normally played by the healthy microbiota in vaginal mucosa. Then lactoferrin and lactobacilli may be considered as biomarkers of altered microbial homeostasis at vaginal level. Considering the shortage of effective treatments to counteract recurrent and/or antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, the intravaginal administration of lactobacilli and lactoferrin could be a novel efficient therapeutic strategy and a valuable tool to restore mucosal immune homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Capobianco
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Stefania Lepanto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Schiavi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Antimo Cutone
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosalba Paesano
- Department of Gynecological-Obstetric and Urological Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Mastromarino
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Hamonic G, Pasternak JA, Wilson HL. Recognizing conserved non-canonical localization patterns of toll-like receptors in tissues and across species. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 372:1-11. [PMID: 29330675 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-017-2767-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLR) 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 were originally characterized as exclusively expressed on the cell surface and TLR 3, 7, 8 and 9 were said to be localized to the endosomes. However, continued research in this area shows that TLR localization may be altered across cell-types, and in response to stimulation, age or disease. Mucosal surfaces must remain tolerant to the commensal flora and thus intracellular or basal lateral localization of TLRs at mucosal surfaces may be necessary to prevent induction of an inflammatory response to commensal flora while still allowing the possibility for the receptors to prime an immune response when a pathogen has crossed the epithelial barrier. Here, we highlight the research specifying 'non-canonical' localization of TLRs in human and animal mucosal tissues and blood-derived cells, while excluding cultured polarized immortalized cells. Reports that only indicate TLR gene/protein expression and/or responsiveness to agonists have been excluded unless the report also indicates surface/intracellular distribution in the cell. Understanding the tissue- and species-specific localization of these specific pattern recognition receptors will lead to a greater appreciation of the way in which TLR ligands promote innate immunity and influence the adaptive immune response. A more comprehensive understanding of this information will potentially aid in the exploitation of the therapeutic or adjuvant potential of selectively localized TLRs and in opening new perspectives in understanding the basis of immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glenn Hamonic
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Dr. Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada
| | - J Alex Pasternak
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Heather L Wilson
- Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Center (VIDO-InterVac), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3, Canada.
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Dr. Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B4, Canada.
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Mukura LR, Hickey DK, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Fahey JV, Wira CR. Chlamydia trachomatis regulates innate immune barrier integrity and mediates cytokine and antimicrobial responses in human uterine ECC-1 epithelial cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 78. [PMID: 28921726 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide and known to increase the risk for HIV acquisition. Few studies have investigated how infection of epithelial cells compromises barrier integrity and antimicrobial response. METHOD OF STUDY ECC-1 cells, a human uterine epithelial cell line, were treated with live and heat-killed C. trachomatis. Epithelial barrier integrity measured as transepithelial resistance (TER), chemokines antimicrobial levels, and antimicrobial mRNA expression was measured by ELISA and Real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS Epithelial barrier integrity was compromised when cells were infected with live, but not with heat-killed, C. trachomatis. IL-8 secretion by ECC-1 cells increased in response to live and heat-killed C. trachomatis, while MCP-1, HBD2 and trappin2/elafin secretion decreased with live C. trachomatis. CONCLUSION Live C. trachomatis suppresses ECC-1 innate immune responses by compromising the barrier integrity, inhibiting secretion of MCP-1, HBD2, and trappin-2/elafin. Differential responses between live and heat-killed Chlamydia indicate which immune responses are dependent on ECC-1 infection rather than the extracellular presence of Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Rudo Mukura
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Danica K Hickey
- Biomedical Sciences, Chronic Disease and Ageing Program, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marta Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - John V Fahey
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Charles R Wira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Mohideen M, Quijano E, Song E, Deng Y, Panse G, Zhang W, Clark MR, Saltzman WM. Degradable bioadhesive nanoparticles for prolonged intravaginal delivery and retention of elvitegravir. Biomaterials 2017; 144:144-154. [PMID: 28829952 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
New methods for long-lasting protection against sexually transmitted disease, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are needed to help reduce the severity of STD epidemics, especially in developing countries. Intravaginal delivery of therapeutics has emerged as a promising strategy to provide women with local protection, but residence times of such agents are greatly reduced by the protective mucus layer, fluctuating hormone cycle, and complex anatomical structure of the reproductive tract. Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) capable of encapsulating the desired cargo, penetrating through the mucosal surfaces, and delivering agents to the site of action have been explored. However, prolonged retention of polymer carriers and their enclosed materials may also be needed to ease adherence and confer longer-lasting protection against STDs. Here, we examined the fate of two poly (lactic acid)-hyperbranched polyglycerols (PLA-HPG) NP formulations - 1) nonadhesive PLA-HPG NPs (NNPs) and 2) surface-modified bioadhesive NPs (BNPs) - loaded with the antiretroviral elvitegravir (EVG) after intravaginal administration. BNP distribution was widespread throughout the reproductive tract, and retention was nearly 5 times higher than NNPs after 24 h. Moreover, BNPs were found to be highly associated with submucosal leukocytes and epithelial cell populations for up to 48 h after topical application, and EVG was retained significantly better in the vaginal lumen when delivered with BNPs as opposed to NNPs over a 24 h period. Our results suggest that bioadhesive PLA-HPG NPs can greatly improve and prolong intravaginal delivery of agents, which may hold potential in providing sustained protection over longer durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneeb Mohideen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Eric Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Yang Deng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Gauri Panse
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Arlington, VA 22209, USA
| | - Meredith R Clark
- CONRAD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Arlington, VA 22209, USA
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
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Shen Z, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Ochsenbauer C, Wira CR. Characterization of immune cells and infection by HIV in human ovarian tissues. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 78. [PMID: 28397318 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM New HIV infections in women are predominantly spread through sexual intercourse. Recent non-human primate studies demonstrated that simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) deposited in the vagina infected immune cells in the ovary. Whether immune cells in the human ovary are susceptible to HIV infection is unknown. METHOD OF STUDY Immune cells were isolated from ovaries and characterized by flow cytometry. Cells were exposed to HIV for 2 hours. HIV infection was measured by flow cytometry and p24 secretion following 6 days in culture. RESULTS CD4+ T cells and CD14+ cells are present in the ovary and susceptible to infection by HIV-BaL. Among the CD45+ cells present, 30% were CD3+ T cells (with similar proportions of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells), and 7%-10% were CD14+ cells. Both CD4+ T cells and CD14+ cells were productively infected and supported replication. CONCLUSION Immune cells in the ovary are potential targets for HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Marta Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Christina Ochsenbauer
- Department of Medicine and UAB Center for AIDS Research, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Charles R Wira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, USA
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Menezes CB, Tasca T. Trichomoniasis immunity and the involvement of the purinergic signaling. Biomed J 2016; 39:234-243. [PMID: 27793265 PMCID: PMC6138788 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate and adaptive immunity play a significant role in trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. In the urogenital tract, innate immunity is accomplished by a defense physical barrier constituted by epithelial cells, mucus, and acidic pH. During infection, immune cells, antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, chemokines, and adaptive immunity evolve in the reproductive tract, and a proinflammatory response is generated to eliminate the invading extracellular pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis. However, the parasite has developed complex evolutionary mechanisms to evade the host immune response through cysteine proteases, phenotypic variation, and molecular mimicry. The purinergic system constitutes a signaling cellular net where nucleotides and nucleosides, enzymes, purinoceptors and transporters are involved in almost all cells and tissues signaling pathways, especially in central and autonomic nervous systems, endocrine, respiratory, cardiac, reproductive, and immune systems, during physiological as well as pathological processes. The involvement of the purinergic system in T. vaginalis biology and infection has been demonstrated and this review highlights the participation of this signaling pathway in the parasite immune evasion strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Braz Menezes
- Parasitology Research Laboratory, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Parasitology Research Laboratory, Pharmacy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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Rodas PI, Álamos-Musre AS, Álvarez FP, Escobar A, Tapia CV, Osorio E, Otero C, Calderón IL, Fuentes JA, Gil F, Paredes-Sabja D, Christodoulides M. The NarE protein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae catalyzes ADP-ribosylation of several ADP-ribose acceptors despite an N-terminal deletion. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2016; 363:fnw181. [PMID: 27465490 PMCID: PMC5812539 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnw181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The ADP-ribosylating enzymes are encoded in many pathogenic bacteria in order to affect essential functions of the host. In this study, we show that Neisseria gonorrhoeae possess a locus that corresponds to the ADP-ribosyltransferase NarE, a previously characterized enzyme in N. meningitidis The 291 bp coding sequence of gonococcal narE shares 100% identity with part of the coding sequence of the meningococcal narE gene due to a frameshift previously described, thus leading to a 49-amino-acid deletion at the N-terminus of gonococcal NarE protein. However, we found a promoter region and a GTG start codon, which allowed expression of the protein as demonstrated by RT-PCR and western blot analyses. Using a gonococcal NarE-6xHis fusion protein, we demonstrated that the gonococcal enzyme underwent auto-ADP-ribosylation but to a lower extent than meningococcal NarE. We also observed that gonoccocal NarE exhibited ADP-ribosyltransferase activity using agmatine and cell-free host proteins as ADP-ribose acceptors, but its activity was inhibited by human β-defensins. Taken together, our results showed that NarE of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a functional enzyme that possesses key features of bacterial ADP-ribosylating enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula I Rodas
- Center for Integrative Medicine and Innovative Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - A Said Álamos-Musre
- Center for Integrative Medicine and Innovative Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Francisca P Álvarez
- Center for Integrative Medicine and Innovative Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Escobar
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Odontológicas, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cecilia V Tapia
- Laboratorio Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile Laboratorio de Micología Médica, Programa de Microbiología y Micología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Eduardo Osorio
- Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia, Clínica Dávila, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carolina Otero
- Center for Integrative Medicine and Innovative Sciences, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Iván L Calderón
- Laboratorio de Genética y Patogénesis Bacteriana, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Juan A Fuentes
- Laboratorio de Genética y Patogénesis Bacteriana, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fernando Gil
- Laboratorio de Genética y Patogénesis Bacteriana, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Paredes-Sabja
- Microbiota-Host Interactions and Clostridia Research Group, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile Center for Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Myron Christodoulides
- Neisseria Research Group, Molecular Microbiology, Sir Henry Wellcome Laboratories, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine, Southampton, England
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Jais M, Younes N, Chapman S, Cu-Uvin S, Ghosh M. Reduced levels of genital tract immune biomarkers in postmenopausal women: implications for HIV acquisition. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2016; 215:324.e1-324.e10. [PMID: 27026477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2016.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rates of HIV infections are increasing in older adults. Although it is known that the HIV/AIDS epidemics affects women disproportionately, little is known regarding immune functions in the genital tract of postmenopausal women, as relevant to HIV susceptibility. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to compare levels of female reproductive tract immune mediators that are important for HIV-associated immune responses as well as intrinsic anti-HIV activity in the cervical vaginal lavages collected from HIV-negative pre- and postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN Cervical vaginal lavage from 20 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal women were assayed for interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin, human β-defensin-2, and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α using standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Anti-HIV activity of cervical-vaginal lavage was measured using TZM-bl indicator cells against HIV-1 IIIB and BaL. Whereas each postmenopausal woman provided only 1 sample, each premenopausal woman provided 3 samples, during proliferative, ovulatory, and secretory stages, based on menstrual dates. RESULTS We observed significantly lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, MIP-3α, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin, and human β-defensin-2 in cervical vaginal lavage from postmenopausal women compared with premenopausal women. Inhibition of HIV-1 infection was observed for both pre- and postmenopausal women, but cervical vaginal lavage from postmenopausal women showed significantly higher inhibition against HIV-1 BaL after adjusting for total protein concentration, genital pH, and reproductive tract infections. No change in mediators or HIV inhibition was observed through the stages of menstrual cycle. In addition, we observed that postmenopausal women with reproductive tract infections had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and significantly lower levels of interleukin-8, which were not observed in premenopausal women. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that female reproductive tract immune microenvironment is distinct in HIV-negative postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of HIV acquisition/transmission in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariel Jais
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Naji Younes
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Stacey Chapman
- Department of Medicine, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Susan Cu-Uvin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Mimi Ghosh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, The George Washington University, Washington, DC.
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Lupfer C, Anand PK. Integrating Inflammasome Signaling in Sexually Transmitted Infections. Trends Immunol 2016; 37:703-714. [PMID: 27592079 PMCID: PMC5086000 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inflammasomes are cytosolic multiprotein platforms with pivotal roles in infectious diseases. Activation of inflammasomes results in proinflammatory cytokine signaling and pyroptosis. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major health problem worldwide, yet few studies have probed the impact of inflammasome signaling during these infections. Due to the dearth of appropriate infection models, our current understanding of inflammasomes in STIs is mostly drawn from results obtained in vitro, from distant infection sites, or from related microbial strains that are not sexually transmitted. Understanding how inflammasomes influence the outcome of STIs may lead to the development of novel and effective strategies to control disease and prevent transmission. Here we discuss and highlight the recent progress in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lupfer
- Department of Biology, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65809, USA
| | - Paras K Anand
- Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
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40
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Plank-Bazinet JL, Kornstein SG, Clayton JA, McCaskill-Stevens W, Wood L, Cook N, Tajuddin SM, Brown GM, Harris T, Evans MK, Begg L, Brooks CE, Miller LR, Mistretta AC, Cornelison TL. A Report of the Women's Health Congress Workshop on The Health of Women of Color: A Critical Intersection at the Corner of Sex/Gender and Race/Ethnicity. J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2016; 25:4-10. [PMID: 26771559 PMCID: PMC4741201 DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2015.5666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Women of color face unique health challenges that differ significantly from those of other women and men of color. To bring these issues to light, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women's Health sponsored a preconference workshop at the 23rd Annual Women's Health Congress, which was held in Washington, DC, in April 2015. The workshop featured presentations by NIH intramural and extramural scientists who provided insight on the disparities of a wide range of conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, the risk of HIV infection, and disability in an aging population. In this study, we highlight the major points of each presentation and the ensuing discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan G Kornstein
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Institute for Women's Health, Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond, Virginia
| | - Janine Austin Clayton
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Worta McCaskill-Stevens
- 3 Community Oncology and Prevention Trials Research Group, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lauren Wood
- 4 Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Nakela Cook
- 5 Office of the Director, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Salman M Tajuddin
- 6 Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gina M Brown
- 7 Office of AIDS Research, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Tamara Harris
- 8 Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michele K Evans
- 6 Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Sciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health , Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lisa Begg
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Claudette E Brooks
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Leah R Miller
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Amy Caroline Mistretta
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Terri L Cornelison
- 1 Office of Research on Women's Health, National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, Maryland
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Critical Review: Mechanisms of HIV Transmission in Depo-Provera Users: The Likely Role of Hypoestrogenism. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2016; 71:1-7. [PMID: 26761267 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Almost half of new HIV infections worldwide occur in women, and vaginal intercourse is the most common mode of transmission. Accumulating evidence suggests that depot medroxyprogesterone acetate may increase HIV transmission, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. We propose that hypoestrogenism in depot medroxyprogesterone acetate may contribute to increased HIV transmission. We present supportive evidence and propose potential interventions to prevent or treat vaginal hypoestrogenism using vaginal estrogens.
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Cervicovaginal microbiome dysbiosis is associated with proteome changes related to alterations of the cervicovaginal mucosal barrier. Mucosal Immunol 2016; 9:621-33. [PMID: 26349657 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2015.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Vaginal microbiome (VMB) dysbiosis is associated with increased acquisition of HIV. Cervicovaginal inflammation and other changes to the mucosal barrier are thought to have important roles but human data are scarce. We compared the human cervicovaginal proteome by mass spectrometry of 50 Rwandan female sex workers who had previously been clustered into four VMB groups using a 16S phylogenetic microarray; in order of increasing bacterial diversity: Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated VMB (group 1), Lactobacillus iners-dominated VMB (group 2), moderate dysbiosis (group 3), and severe dysbiosis (group 4). We compared relative protein abundances among these VMB groups using targeted (abundance of pre-defined mucosal barrier proteins) and untargeted (differentially abundant proteins among all human proteins identified) approaches. With increasing bacterial diversity, we found: mucus alterations (increasing mucin 5B and 5AC), cytoskeleton alterations (increasing actin-organizing proteins; decreasing keratins and cornified envelope proteins), increasing lactate dehydrogenase A/B as markers of cell death, increasing proteolytic activity (increasing proteasome core complex proteins/proteases; decreasing antiproteases), altered antimicrobial peptide balance (increasing psoriasin, calprotectin, and histones; decreasing lysozyme and ubiquitin), increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreasing immunoglobulins immunoglobulin G1/2. Although temporal relationships cannot be derived, our findings support the hypothesis that dysbiosis causes cervicovaginal inflammation and other detrimental changes to the mucosal barrier.
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43
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Eade CR, Diaz C, Chen S, Cole AL, Cole AM. HIV-Enhancing Factors Are Secreted by Reproductive Epithelia upon Inoculation with Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Bacteria. Protein Pept Lett 2016; 22:672-80. [PMID: 25751267 DOI: 10.2174/0929866522666150309155735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis is a common reproductive infection in which commensal vaginal lactobacilli are displaced by a mixed population of pathogenic bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis increases susceptibility to HIV, and it has been suggested that host innate immune responses to pathogenic bacteria contribute to enhanced infection, yet the cellular mechanisms mediating the increased HIV susceptibility remain uncharacterized. We evaluated the HIV-enhancing effects of bacterial vaginosis by inoculating endocervical epithelia with Atopobium vaginae, a bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria, and assaying secreted factors for HIV-enhancing activity. When epithelia and A. vaginae were cocultured, we observed increased HIV-enhancing activity mediated by secreted low molecular weight factors. From this complex mixture we identified several upregulated host proteins, which functioned in combination to enhance HIV infection. These studies suggest that the host immune response to bacterial vaginosis-associated bacteria results in the release of HIV-enhancing factors. The combined activity of bacterial vaginosis-induced proteins likely mediates HIV enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Alexander M Cole
- 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Building 20, Room 236, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA.
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Buckner LR, Amedee AM, Albritton HL, Kozlowski PA, Lacour N, McGowin CL, Schust DJ, Quayle AJ. Chlamydia trachomatis Infection of Endocervical Epithelial Cells Enhances Early HIV Transmission Events. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146663. [PMID: 26730599 PMCID: PMC4701475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis causes a predominantly asymptomatic, but generally inflammatory, genital infection that is associated with an increased risk for HIV acquisition. Endocervical epithelial cells provide the major niche for this obligate intracellular bacterium in women, and the endocervix is also a tissue in which HIV transmission can occur. The mechanism by which CT infection enhances HIV susceptibility at this site, however, is not well understood. Utilizing the A2EN immortalized endocervical epithelial cell line grown on cell culture inserts, we evaluated the direct role that CT-infected epithelial cells play in facilitating HIV transmission events. We determined that CT infection significantly enhanced the apical-to-basolateral migration of cell-associated, but not cell-free, HIVBaL, a CCR5-tropic strain of virus, across the endocervical epithelial barrier. We also established that basolateral supernatants from CT-infected A2EN cells significantly enhanced HIV replication in peripheral mononuclear cells and a CCR5+ T cell line. These results suggest that CT infection of endocervical epithelial cells could facilitate both HIV crossing the mucosal barrier and subsequent infection or replication in underlying target cells. Our studies provide a mechanism by which this common STI could potentially promote the establishment of founder virus populations and the maintenance of local HIV reservoirs in the endocervix. Development of an HIV/STI co-infection model also provides a tool to further explore the role of other sexually transmitted infections in enhancing HIV acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsey R. Buckner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
| | - Angela M. Amedee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
| | - Hannah L. Albritton
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
| | - Pamela A. Kozlowski
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
| | - Nedra Lacour
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
| | - Chris L. McGowin
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, United States of America
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65201, United States of America
| | - Alison J. Quayle
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States of America
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Slade J, Hall JV, Kintner J, Schoborg RV. Chlamydial Pre-Infection Protects from Subsequent Herpes Simplex Virus-2 Challenge in a Murine Vaginal Super-Infection Model. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0146186. [PMID: 26726882 PMCID: PMC4699815 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0146186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis and Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) genital tract co-infections have been reported in humans and studied in vitro but the clinical consequences are unknown. Limited epidemiologic evidence suggests that these co-infections could be more severe than single infections of either pathogen, but the host-pathogen interactions during co-infection remain uncharacterized. To determine whether disease progression and/or pathogen shedding differs between singly-infected and super-infected animals, we developed an in vivo super-infection model in which female BALB/c mice were vaginally infected with Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) followed later by HSV-2. Pre-infection with Chlamydia 3 or 9 days prior to HSV-2 super-infection conferred significant protection from HSV-2-induced neurologic disease and significantly reduced viral recovery compared to HSV-2 singly-infected controls. Neither protection from mortality nor reduced viral recovery were observed when mice were i) super-infected with HSV-2 on day 27 post Cm; ii) infected with UV-irradiated Cm and super-infected with HSV-2; or iii) azithromycin-treated prior to HSV-2 super-infection. Therefore, protection from HSV-2-induced disease requires active infection with viable chlamydiae and is not observed after chlamydial shedding ceases, either naturally or due to antibiotic treatment. Thus, Chlamydia-induced protection is transient and requires the continued presence of chlamydiae or their components. These data demonstrate that chlamydial pre-infection can alter progression of subsequent HSV-2 infection, with implications for HSV-2 transmission from co-infected humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Slade
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jennifer V. Hall
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Kintner
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Robert V. Schoborg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Infectious Disease and Immunity, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Winuthayanon W, Bernhardt ML, Padilla-Banks E, Myers PH, Edin ML, Lih FB, Hewitt SC, Korach KS, Williams CJ. Oviductal estrogen receptor α signaling prevents protease-mediated embryo death. eLife 2015; 4:e10453. [PMID: 26623518 PMCID: PMC4718728 DOI: 10.7554/elife.10453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of uterine endometrial receptivity for implantation is orchestrated by cyclic steroid hormone-mediated signals. It is unknown if these signals are necessary for oviduct function in supporting fertilization and preimplantation development. Here we show that conditional knockout (cKO) mice lacking estrogen receptor α (ERα) in oviduct and uterine epithelial cells have impaired fertilization due to a dramatic reduction in sperm migration. In addition, all successfully fertilized eggs die before the 2-cell stage due to persistence of secreted innate immune mediators including proteases. Elevated protease activity in cKO oviducts causes premature degradation of the zona pellucida and embryo lysis, and wild-type embryos transferred into cKO oviducts fail to develop normally unless rescued by concomitant transfer of protease inhibitors. Thus, suppression of oviductal protease activity mediated by estrogen-epithelial ERα signaling is required for fertilization and preimplantation embryo development. These findings have implications for human infertility and post-coital contraception. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10453.001 In female mammals, eggs made in the ovaries travel to the uterus via tubes called oviducts (or Fallopian tubes). If sperm fertilize these eggs on the way, they complete this journey as early embryos and then implant into the wall of the uterus. As sperm and then newly fertilized embryos travel down these tubes, they encounter fluid inside the oviduct, which is generated by the cells that line the tube. The hormonal changes that occur with the menstrual cycle alter the complexity and cellular composition of the uterus. When an egg is fertilized, further changes in the levels of the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, ensure the uterus becomes receptive to the embryo. However, it remains unknown whether such hormone-mediated signals also regulate the oviduct to support fertilization and early embryo development. To investigate this question, Winuthayanon et al. studied female mice that lack an important estrogen receptor in the cells that line their oviducts and uterus. These mice are infertile. This is partly because most sperm become stuck in the uterus and fail to reach the eggs in the oviduct in order to fertilize them. The oviduct also becomes a hostile environment for both eggs and embryos, as reflected in damaged eggs and the complete loss of all new embryos by two days after fertilization. These embryos die, not because their development fails, but because their outer membrane becomes damaged and breaks apart. Winuthayanon et al. showed that this is due to the persistence of enzymes that form part of the immune system inside the oviduct. These enzymes can degrade proteins and damage cell membranes. The presence of this estrogen receptor on the inner lining of the oviduct thus appears to be crucially important for reproduction (these effects were not seen when it is removed from other cells of the oviduct). The loss of this receptor also reveals the vital role that estrogen plays in suppressing parts of the immune response to ensure the oviduct provides a supportive environment for fertilization and embryo development. These findings could also have future application in the development of new contraceptives and might also shed light on the causes of human infertility. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10453.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Wipawee Winuthayanon
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States.,School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, United States
| | - Miranda L Bernhardt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Elizabeth Padilla-Banks
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Page H Myers
- Comparative Medicine Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Matthew L Edin
- Immunity, Inflammation and Disease Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Fred B Lih
- Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, USA
| | - Sylvia C Hewitt
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Kenneth S Korach
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
| | - Carmen J Williams
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, United States
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Blocking HIV-1 transmission in the female reproductive tract: from microbicide development to exploring local antiviral responses. Clin Transl Immunology 2015; 4:e43. [PMID: 26682051 PMCID: PMC4673443 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2015.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The majority of new HIV-1 infections are transmitted sexually by penetrating the mucosal barrier to infect target cells. The development of microbicides to restrain heterosexual HIV-1 transmission in the past two decades has proven to be a challenging endeavor. Therefore, better understanding of the tissue environment in the female reproductive tract may assist in the development of the next generation of microbicides to prevent HIV-1 transmission. In this review, we highlight the important factors involved in the heterosexual transmission of HIV-1, provide an update on microbicides' clinical trials, and discuss how different delivery platforms and local immunity may empower the development of next generation of microbicide to block HIV-1 transmission in the female reproductive tract.
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48
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Agarwal N, Buckley N, Nakra N, Gialanella P, Yuan W, Ghartey JP. Activity of Genital Tract Secretions and Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptides against Group B Streptococcus. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:499-507. [PMID: 26395128 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Genital tract secretions inhibit Escherichia coli (E. coli) through antimicrobial peptides (AMP) secreted by the host and vaginal microbiota. However, there are limited data against group B Streptococcus (GBS). METHOD OF STUDY Group B Streptococcus were incubated with cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL) samples from healthy non-pregnant women (n = 12) or synthetic AMP and monitored for bacterial growth using a turbidimetric approach. E. coli inhibitory activity was determined by a colony-forming unit assay. RESULTS None of the CVL samples inhibited GBS. The human neutrophil peptide-1 and human defensin 5 inhibited GBS growth by ≥80% at concentrations ≥20 μg/mL and ≥50 μg/mL, respectively, while human beta-defensin 2 and LL-37 did not inhibit at highest concentration tested (100 μg/mL). In contrast, all AMP inhibited E. coli. CONCLUSIONS Antimicrobial peptides may protect against E. coli colonization but have more limited activity against GBS. Future studies will focus on augmenting host defense with specific AMP to prevent genitourinary infection with these pathogenic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Agarwal
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital At Montefiore, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Niall Buckley
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Nakra
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Philip Gialanella
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Weirong Yuan
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeny P Ghartey
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women's Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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49
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Birse K, Arnold KB, Novak RM, McCorrister S, Shaw S, Westmacott GR, Ball TB, Lauffenburger DA, Burgener A. Molecular Signatures of Immune Activation and Epithelial Barrier Remodeling Are Enhanced during the Luteal Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: Implications for HIV Susceptibility. J Virol 2015; 89:8793-805. [PMID: 26085144 PMCID: PMC4524071 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00756-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The variable infectivity and transmissibility of HIV/SHIV has been recently associated with the menstrual cycle, with particular susceptibility observed during the luteal phase in nonhuman primate models and ex vivo human explant cultures, but the mechanism is poorly understood. Here, we performed an unbiased, mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis to better understand the mucosal immunological processes underpinning this observed susceptibility to HIV infection. Cervicovaginal lavage samples (n = 19) were collected, characterized as follicular or luteal phase using days since last menstrual period, and analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry. Biological insights from these data were gained using a spectrum of computational methods, including hierarchical clustering, pathway analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and partial least-squares discriminant analysis with LASSO feature selection. Of the 384 proteins identified, 43 were differentially abundant between phases (P < 0.05, ≥2-fold change). Cell-cell adhesion proteins and antiproteases were reduced, and leukocyte recruitment (interleukin-8 pathway, P = 1.41E-5) and extravasation proteins (P = 5.62E-4) were elevated during the luteal phase. LASSO/PLSDA identified a minimal profile of 18 proteins that best distinguished the luteal phase. This profile included cytoskeletal elements and proteases known to be involved in cellular movement. Gene set enrichment analysis associated CD4(+) T cell and neutrophil gene set signatures with the luteal phase (P < 0.05). Taken together, our findings indicate a strong association between proteins involved in tissue remodeling and leukocyte infiltration with the luteal phase, which may represent potential hormone-associated mechanisms of increased susceptibility to HIV. IMPORTANCE Recent studies have discovered an enhanced susceptibility to HIV infection during the progesterone-dominant luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. However, the mechanism responsible for this enhanced susceptibility has not yet been determined. Understanding the source of this vulnerability will be important for designing efficacious HIV prevention technologies for women. Furthermore, these findings may also be extrapolated to better understand the impact of exogenous hormone application, such as the use of hormonal contraceptives, on HIV acquisition risk. Hormonal contraceptives are the most widely used contraceptive method in sub-Saharan Africa, the most HIV-burdened area of the world. For this reason, research conducted to better understand how hormones impact host immunity and susceptibility factors important for HIV infection is a global health priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenzie Birse
- National Lab for HIV Immunology, JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Kelly B Arnold
- Department of Biological Engineering and Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Richard M Novak
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Stuart McCorrister
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Souradet Shaw
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Garrett R Westmacott
- Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Terry B Ball
- National Lab for HIV Immunology, JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Nairobi, Department of Medical Microbiology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Douglas A Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering and Center for Gynepathology Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Burgener
- National Lab for HIV Immunology, JC Wilt Infectious Disease Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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50
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Chappell CA, Isaacs CE, Xu W, Meyn LA, Uranker K, Dezzutti CS, Moncla BJ, Hillier SL. The effect of menopause on the innate antiviral activity of cervicovaginal lavage. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:204.e1-6. [PMID: 25818668 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Reproductive hormones are known to impact innate mucosal immune function of the lower genital tract. Our objectives were to determine the effect of hormonal status on intrinsic antiviral (herpes simplex virus [HSV]-1, HSV-2, and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-1) activity of cervicovaginal lavage (CVL). STUDY DESIGN CVL was collected from 165 asymptomatic women including postmenopausal women (n = 29); women not on contraception in days 1-14 (n = 26) or days 15-28 (n = 27) of the menstrual cycle; and women using the levonorgestrel intrauterine device (n = 28), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (n = 28), or combined oral contraceptives (n = 27). The anti-HSV-1/-2 and the anti-HIV-1 activity of the CVL were measured using plaque assays and the Jurkat-Tat-CCR5 assay, respectively. RESULTS CVL from all of the groups had modest antiviral activity. Anti-HIV-1 activity was decreased in CVL from postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women (11% vs 34%, P = .002). However, there was no difference in anti-HIV-1 activity among premenopausal women regardless of phase of menstrual cycle or contraceptive use. Anti-HIV-1 activity was associated with the protein content of the CVL (r = 0.44, P < .001). There was no difference in anti-HSV-1 or -2 activity by hormonal group. CONCLUSION Menopause is associated with decreased innate HIV-1 activity in the lower genital tract, suggesting that factors in the vaginal fluid could play a role in increased susceptibility of HIV-1 infection in postmenopausal women. Hormonal contraceptive use, menopause, and phase of menstrual cycle did not have a measurable impact on the intrinsic anti-HSV-1 or -2 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Chappell
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA.
| | - Charles E Isaacs
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY
| | - Weimin Xu
- Department of Developmental Biochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY
| | | | | | - Charlene S Dezzutti
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Bernard J Moncla
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Sharon L Hillier
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA; Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA
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