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Schaefer A, Yang B, Schroeder HA, Harit D, Humphry MS, Zeitlin L, Whaley KJ, Ravel J, Fischer WA, Lai SK. ZMapp reduces diffusion of Ebola viral particles in fresh human cervicovaginal mucus. Emerg Microbes Infect 2024; 13:2352520. [PMID: 38713593 PMCID: PMC11100441 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2352520] [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: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
Vaginal transmission from semen of male Ebola virus (EBOV) survivors has been implicated as a potential origin of Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks. While EBOV in semen must traverse cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) to reach target cells, the behaviour of EBOV in CVM is poorly understood. CVM contains substantial quantities of IgG, and arrays of IgG bound to a virion can develop multiple Fc-mucin bonds, immobilizing the IgG/virion complex in mucus. Here, we measured the real-time mobility of fluorescent Ebola virus-like-particles (VLP) in 50 CVM specimens from 17 women, with and without ZMapp, a cocktail of 3 monoclonal IgGs against EBOV. ZMapp-mediated effective trapping of Ebola VLPs in CVM from a subset of women across the menstrual cycle, primarily those with Lactobacillus crispatus dominant microbiota. Our work underscores the influence of the vaginal microbiome on IgG-mucin crosslinking against EBOV and identifies bottlenecks in the sexual transmission of EBOV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Schaefer
- UNC/NCSU Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bing Yang
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Holly A. Schroeder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dimple Harit
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mike S. Humphry
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - William A. Fischer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Samuel K. Lai
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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2
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Faktor J, Henek T, Hernychova L, Singh A, Vojtesek B, Polom J, Bhatia R, Polom K, Cuschieri K, Cruickshank M, Gurumurthy M, Goodlett DR, Al Shboul S, Samal SK, Hupp T, Kalampokas E, Kote S. Metaproteomic analysis from cervical biopsies and cytologies identifies proteinaceous biomarkers representing both human and microbial species. Talanta 2024; 278:126460. [PMID: 38968660 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
The detection of HPV infection and microbial colonization in cervical lesions is currently done through PCR-based viral or bacterial DNA amplification. Our objective was to develop a methodology to expand the metaproteomic landscape of cervical disease and determine if protein biomarkers from both human and microbes could be detected in distinct cervical samples. This would lead to the development of multi-species proteomics, which includes protein-based lateral flow diagnostics that can define patterns of microbes and/or human proteins relevant to disease status. In this study, we collected both non-frozen tissue biopsy and exfoliative non-fixed cytology samples to assess the consistency of detecting human proteomic signatures between the cytology and biopsy samples. Our results show that proteomics using biopsies or cytologies can detect both human and microbial organisms. Across patients, Lumican and Galectin-1 were most highly expressed human proteins in the tissue biopsy, whilst IL-36 and IL-1RA were most highly expressed human proteins in the cytology. We also used mass spectrometry to assess microbial proteomes known to reside based on prior 16S rRNA gene signatures. Lactobacillus spp. was the most highly expressed proteome in patient samples and specific abundant Lactobacillus proteins were identified. These methodological approaches can be used in future metaproteomic clinical studies to interrogate the vaginal human and microbiome structure and metabolic diversity in cytologies or biopsies from the same patients who have pre-invasive cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, invasive cervical cancer, as well as in healthy controls to assess how human and pathogenic proteins may correlate with disease presence and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Faktor
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Tomas Henek
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Lenka Hernychova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ashita Singh
- University of Edinburgh, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Borek Vojtesek
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Joanna Polom
- The Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences, Lotnicza 2, Elblag, Poland; Department of Medical Laboratory Diagnostics-Fahrenheit Biobank BBMRI.pl, Medical University of Gdańsk, Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie 3a, 80-210, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ramya Bhatia
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Karol Polom
- The Academy of Applied Medical and Social Sciences, Lotnicza 2, Elblag, Poland; Gastrointestinal Surgical Oncology Department, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Garbary 15, Poznan, Poland
| | - Kate Cuschieri
- Scottish HPV Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh NHS Lothian UK, UK
| | - Margaret Cruickshank
- Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | | | | | - Sofian Al Shboul
- Department of Pharmacology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, 13133, Jordan
| | | | - Ted Hupp
- University of Edinburgh, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Emmanouil Kalampokas
- Unit of Gynaecologic Oncology, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.
| | - Sachin Kote
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
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Jia S, Huang S, Jimo R, AXi Y, Lu Y, Kong Z, Ma J, Li H, Luo X, Qu Y, Gou K, Zeng R, Wang X. In-situ forming carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogel containing Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. leaf extract for mixed infectious vaginitis treatment by reshaping the micro-biota. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 339:122255. [PMID: 38823921 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122255] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Mixed infectious vaginitis poses a serious threat to female reproductive health due to complex pathogenic factors, a long course and easy recurrence. Currently, antibiotic-based treatment methods are facing a crisis of drug resistance and secondary dysbiosis. Exploring effective drugs for the treatment of mixed vaginitis from Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., a natural traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of medicinal use, is a feasible treatment strategy. P. suffruticosa Andr. leaf extract (PLE) has significant anti-bacterial effects due to its rich content of polyphenols and flavonoids. The polyphenols in peony leaves have the potential to make carboxymethyl chitosan form in situ gel. In the current study, PLE and carboxymethyl chitosan were combined to develop another type of natural anti-bacterial anti-oxidant hydrogel for the treatment of mixed infectious vaginitis. Through a series of characterisations, CP had a three-dimensional network porous structure with good mechanical properties, high water absorption, long retention and a slow-release drug effect. The mixed infectious vaginitis mouse model induced by a mixture of pathogenic bacteria was used to investigate the therapeutic effects of CP in vivo. The appearance of the vagina, H&E colouring of the tissue and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6) confirm the good anti-vaginal effect of CP. Therefore, CP was expected to become an ideal effective strategy to improve mixed infection vaginitis due to its excellent hydrogel performance and remarkable ability to regulate flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiami Jia
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Shengting Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Rezhemu Jimo
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Yongbu AXi
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Yuanhui Lu
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Ziling Kong
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Jun Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China
| | - Heran Li
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Puhe RD77, 110122, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- ChengDu Institute for Drug Control, NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Monitoring and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Chinese Materia Medica), Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Yan Qu
- College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Kaijun Gou
- Tibetan Plateau Ethnic Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China, Sichuan Provincial Qiang-Yi Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Technology Engineering Laboratory, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China
| | - Rui Zeng
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China; Tibetan Plateau Ethnic Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory of National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People's Republic of China, Sichuan Provincial Qiang-Yi Medicinal Resources Protection and Utilization Technology Engineering Laboratory, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China.
| | - Xiao Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu & Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Ethnic Medicine Processing and Preparation on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, 610225, China.
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Pagar R, Deshkar S, Mahore J, Patole V, Deshpande H, Gandham N, Mirza S, Junnarkar M, Nawani N. The microbial revolution: Unveiling the benefits of vaginal probiotics and prebiotics. Microbiol Res 2024; 286:127787. [PMID: 38851010 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127787] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Vaginal health is essential to a woman's overall well-being, as abnormalities in vaginal health can lead to a variety of gynaecological disorders, such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. The vaginal microbiome is essential for the prevention of these infections. Disruptions in this microbial ecosystem can significantly impact vaginal health. The concept of utilizing probiotics and prebiotics to stimulate the growth of protective vaginal microbiota has gathered substantial interest in recent years. Probiotics are live micro-organisms that strengthen and restore vaginal microbial balance by lowering pH levels, production of bacteriocins, biofilm disruption, modulation of immune response, and production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), consequently combating the development of pathogens. Prebiotics are oligosaccharides that encourage the development of probiotics such as lactobacilli species. Probiotics and prebiotics also have some broader implications for vaginal health, including their role in minimizing the incidence of premature birth, optimizing fertility, managing menopausal symptoms, and preventing vaginal infections. Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics that deliver additional benefits by encouraging the development and activity of beneficial microbes. Furthermore, postbiotics are bioactive compounds derived from probiotic bacteria during fermentation that have immunomodulatory actions and provide an additional layer of protection against vaginal infections. The present study highlights the most prevalent vaginal infections and limitations of existing therapies that influence the vaginal microbiota. The profound consequences of probiotics and prebiotics in women's health, including their role in minimizing the prevalence of vaginal infections and promoting overall vaginal health, as well as advanced therapeutic strategies such as synbiotics and postbiotics, are also discussed. The literature offers significant insights into the mechanism, efficacy, and safety of probiotics and prebiotics to healthcare providers and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshani Pagar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Sanjeevani Deshkar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India.
| | - Jayashri Mahore
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Vinita Patole
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Hemant Deshpande
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Nageswari Gandham
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Shahzad Mirza
- Department of Microbiology, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, India
| | - Manisha Junnarkar
- Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, India
| | - Neelu Nawani
- Microbial Diversity Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Pune, India
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Van Gerwen OT, Sherman ZA, Kay ES, Wall J, Lewis J, Eastlund I, Graves KJ, Richter S, Pontius A, Aaron KJ, Siwakoti K, Rogers B, Toh E, Elnaggar JH, Taylor CM, Van Wagoner NJ, Muzny CA. Recruiting transgender men in the Southeastern United States for genital microbiome research: Lessons learned. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0308603. [PMID: 39133717 PMCID: PMC11318884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0308603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender men (TGM) are underrepresented in genital microbiome research. Our prospective study in Birmingham, AL investigated genital microbiota changes over time in TGM initiating testosterone, including the development of incident bacterial vaginosis (iBV). Here, we present lessons learned from recruitment challenges encountered during the conduct of this study. METHODS Inclusion criteria were assigned female sex at birth, TGM or non-binary identity, age ≥18 years, interested in injectable testosterone but willing to wait 7 days after enrollment before starting, and engaged with a testosterone-prescribing provider. Exclusion criteria were recent antibiotic use, HIV/STI infection, current vaginal infection, pregnancy, or past 6 months testosterone use. Recruitment initiatives included community advertisements via flyers, social media posts, and referrals from local gender health clinics. RESULTS Between February 2022 and October 2023, 61 individuals contacted the study, 17 (27.9%) completed an in-person screening visit, and 10 (58.8%) of those screened were enrolled. The primary reasons for individuals failing study screening were having limited access to testosterone-prescribing providers, already being on testosterone, being unwilling to wait 7 days to initiate testosterone therapy, or desiring the use of topical testosterone. Engagement of non-White TGM was also minimal. CONCLUSION Despite robust study inquiry by TGM, screening and enrollment challenges were faced including engagement by TGM not yet in care and specific study eligibility criteria. Excitement among TGM for research representation should be leveraged in future work by engaging transgender community stakeholders at the inception of study development, particularly regarding feasibility of study inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as recruitment of TGM of color. These results also highlight the need for more clinical resources for prescribing gender-affirming hormone therapy, especially in the Southeastern US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia T. Van Gerwen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Z. Alex Sherman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Emma Sophia Kay
- School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Jay Wall
- Magic City Wellness Center, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Joy Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Isaac Eastlund
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Keonte J. Graves
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Saralyn Richter
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Angela Pontius
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Kristal J. Aaron
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Krishmita Siwakoti
- Division of Endocrinology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Ben Rogers
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Evelyn Toh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Jacob H. Elnaggar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana Health Sciences Center New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Nicholas J. Van Wagoner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Christina A. Muzny
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
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Xiao Q, Chen WJ, Wu F, Zhang XY, Li X, Wei J, Chen TT, Liu ZX. Individuality and generality of intratumoral microbiome in the three most prevalent gynecological malignancies: an observational study. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0100424. [PMID: 39101825 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01004-24] [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: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence have indicated the crucial role of intratumor microbiome in a variety of solid tumor. However, the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies is largely unknown. In the present study, a total of 90 Han patients, including 30 patients with cancer in cervix, ovary, and endometrium each were enrolled, the composition of intratumoral microbiome was assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon high throughput sequencing. We found that the diversity and metabolic potential of intratumoral microbiome in all three cancer types were very similar. Furthermore, all three cancer types shared a few taxa that collectively take up high relative abundance and positive rate, including Pseudomonas sp., Comamonadaceae gen. sp., Bradyrhizobium sp., Saccharomonospora sp., Cutibacterium acnes, Rubrobacter sp., Dialister micraerophilus, and Escherichia coli. Additionally, Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Paracoccus sp. in cervical cancer, Pelomonas sp. in ovarian cancer, and Enterococcus faecalis in endometrial cancer were identified by LDA to be a representative bacterial strain. In addition, in cervical cancer patients, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (correlation coefficient = -0.3714) was negatively correlated (r = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with Rubrobacter sp. and CA199 (correlation coefficient = 0.3955) was positively associated (r = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.7) with Saccharomonospora sp.. In ovarian cancer patients, CA125 (correlation coefficient = -0.4451) was negatively correlated (r = -0.4, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.09) with Porphyromonas sp.. In endometrial cancer patients, CEA (correlation coefficient = -0.3868) was negatively correlated (r = -0.4, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.02) with Cutibacterium acnes. This study promoted our understanding of the intratumoral microbiome in gynecological malignancies.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we found the compositional spectrum of tumor microbes among gynecological malignancies were largely similar by sharing a few taxa and differentiated by substantial species owned uniquely. Certain species, mostly unreported, were identified to be associated with clinical characteristics. This study prompted our understanding of gynecological malignancies and offered evidence for tumor microbes affecting tumor biology among cancers in the female reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Xiao
- Departments of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wen-Jie Chen
- Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Departments of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin-Yi Zhang
- Queen Mary School, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Jiujiang, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Jing Wei
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Ting-Tao Chen
- Departments of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and the Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhao-Xia Liu
- Departments of Reproductive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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Morsli M, Gimenez E, Magnan C, Salipante F, Huberlant S, Letouzey V, Lavigne JP. The association between lifestyle factors and the composition of the vaginal microbiota: a review. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024:10.1007/s10096-024-04915-7. [PMID: 39096320 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04915-7] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The vaginal microbiota offers valuable insights into women's sexual health and the risk of developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial vaginosis. Despite the public health implications of changes in the vaginal environment, existing data on this topic remain sparse. METHODS Following the PRISMA statement guidelines, we consulted five bibliographic databases, focusing on five main daily habits and behaviors. We included only studies published up to October 2023, investigating the influence of personal hygiene, sexual behaviors, hormonal contraception, smoking, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial stress on the vaginal microbiota using next-generation sequencing. RESULTS Based on our inclusion criteria, we incorporated 37 studies into this review. Hormonal contraception and personal hygiene were found to promote eubiosis of the vaginal microbiota. In contrast, sexual behaviors, smoking, alcohol consumption, and psychosocial stress were associated with an increased susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis, STIs, and severe pelvic inflammatory diseases due to a modified vaginal microbiota. Black ethnicity emerged as a confounding factor, with this population showing unstable vaginal microbiota. Oral contraception and a stable male sexual partner were found to favor Lactobacillus colonization, acting as a protective factor. Conversely, non-hormonal contraception and unprotected or non-penile/vaginal sexual activity increased the incidence of vaginal inflammation and bacterial vaginosis by disturbing the vaginal microbiota and reducing Lactobacillus abundance. CONCLUSION Daily habits and lifestyle can influence the composition of the vaginal microbiota, thereby affecting vaginal health. Disturbances in the vaginal microbiota could be associated factors for STIs and vaginosis. Therefore, prioritizing more appropriate management of the vaginal microbiota is crucial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madjid Morsli
- VBIC, INSERM U1047, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Elise Gimenez
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Chloé Magnan
- VBIC, INSERM U1047, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Florian Salipante
- Service de Biostatistique, Epidémiologie, Santé Publique Innovation et Méthodologie, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Stéphanie Huberlant
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Vincent Letouzey
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Lavigne
- VBIC, INSERM U1047, Department of Microbiology and Hospital Hygiene, University of Montpellier, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France.
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8
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Chen R, Peng C, Wang Z, Xiao Y, Tang S. Effects of vaginal microbiota on human papillomavirus infection and its related diseases. Microb Pathog 2024; 193:106761. [PMID: 38925345 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106761] [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: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
With the knowledge of female reproductive tract microbiota gradually increasing, the connection between vaginal microbiota (VMB) and its related diseases is increasingly highlighted. Manifestation of VMB keeps changing with various dominated bacteria, which can affect the immune response of mucosal barrier and the entrance of pathogens. Human papillomavirus (HPV), as an oncogenic virus, is closely related to viral-associated cancer, such as cervical cancer. According to HPV infection status, VMB can transform into different types, and result in accelerating or restraining the progression of diseases, which have exposed the inner link between VMB and HPV. Therefore, probiotics therapy promises to be a new complementary therapy to rebuild a healthy VMB for patients, but there's still a long way to go before its ready for the clinic. This review focuses on composition, immune response, and application of VMB in HPV and its associated diseases and aims to provide the new ideas and directions for the research on VMB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranzhong Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Changmin Peng
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Zhenlei Wang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuanyuan Xiao
- School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, China.
| | - Shuangyang Tang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Special Pathogens Prevention and Control, Institute of pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Garcia EM, Klimowicz AK, Edupuganti L, Topf MA, Bhide SR, Slusser DJ, Leib SM, Coddington CL, Matveyev A, Buck GA, Jefferson KK, Pepperell CS, Dillard JP. Phase variable colony variants are conserved across Gardnerella spp. and exhibit different virulence-associated phenotypes. mSphere 2024; 9:e0045024. [PMID: 38926904 PMCID: PMC11287997 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00450-24] [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: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Gardnerella genus, comprising at least 13 species, is associated with the polymicrobial disorder bacterial vaginosis (BV). However, the details of BV pathogenesis are poorly defined, and the contributions made by individual species, including Gardnerella spp., are largely unknown. We report here that colony phenotypes characterized by size (large and small) and opacity (opaque and translucent) are phase variable and are conserved among all tested Gardnerella strains, representing at least 10 different species. With the hypothesis that these different variants could be an important missing piece to the enigma of how BV develops in vivo, we characterized their phenotypic, proteomic, and genomic differences. Beyond increased colony size, large colony variants showed reduced vaginolysin secretion and faster growth rate relative to small colony variants. The ability to inhibit the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and commensal Lactobacillus species varied by strain and, in some instances, differed between variants. Proteomics analyses indicated that 127-173 proteins were differentially expressed between variants. Proteins with increased expression in large variants of both strains were associated with amino acid and protein synthesis and protein folding, whereas those increased in small variants were related to nucleotide synthesis, phosphate transport, ABC transport, and glycogen breakdown. Furthermore, whole genome sequencing analyses revealed an abundance of genes associated with variable homopolymer tracts, implicating slipped strand mispairing in Gardnerella phase variation and illuminating the potential for previously unrecognized heterogeneity within clonal populations. Collectively, these results suggest that phase variants may be primed to serve different roles in BV pathogenesis.IMPORTANCEBacterial vaginosis is the most common gynecological disorder in women of childbearing age. Gardnerella species are crucial to the development of this dysbiosis, but the mechanisms involved in the infection are not understood. We discovered that Gardnerella species vary between two different forms, reflected in bacterial colony size. A slow-growing form makes large amounts of the toxin vaginolysin and is better able to survive in human cervix tissue. A fast-growing form is likely the one that proliferates to high numbers just prior to symptom onset and forms the biofilm that serves as a scaffold for multiple BV-associated anaerobic bacteria. Identification of the proteins that vary between different forms of the bacteria as well as those that vary randomly provides insight into the factors important for Gardnerella infection and immune avoidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. Garcia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Amy K. Klimowicz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Laahirie Edupuganti
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Madeline A. Topf
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shraddha R. Bhide
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Dawson J. Slusser
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samantha M. Leib
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Cayden L. Coddington
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Andrey Matveyev
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Kimberly K. Jefferson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Caitlin S. Pepperell
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Joseph P. Dillard
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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10
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Liu Y, Zhao X, Wu F, Chen J, Luo J, Wu C, Chen T. Effectiveness of vaginal probiotics Lactobacillus crispatus chen-01 in women with high-risk HPV infection: a prospective controlled pilot study. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:11446-11459. [PMID: 39058300 PMCID: PMC11315381 DOI: 10.18632/aging.206032] [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: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Female genital tract infection with high-risk human papilloma virus (HR-HPV) has the risk of developing into cervical cancer, and there is still a lack of effective therapeutic strategies. Probiotic intervention is considered as a potential intervention for HR-HPV, while exploration into living probiotic preparations for specific diseases remains limited and insufficient. This prospective controlled pilot study was conducted to observe the effect of intravaginal transplantation of a vaginal isolated natural probiotic strain, Lactobacillus crispatus chen-01, on the clearance of high-risk HPV infection. 100 women with high-risk HPV infection were enrolled and randomly divided into placebo group and probiotic treatment group, which received intravaginal transplantation of L. crispatus chen-01. Cervical exfoliated cells were collected 6 months later for detecting DNA load, typing of HPV, and cytological analysis. Our results showed that vaginal transplantation with L. crispatus chen-01 significantly reduced viral load of HPV, ameliorated HPV clearance rate, and improved vaginal inflammation state without causing obvious adverse reactions. Analysis of 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that L. crispatus chen-01 could effectively reconstitute the vaginal microbiota in women with high-risk HPV, which might be one of the underlying mechanisms of the beneficial effect of L. crispatus chen-01 transplantation. Our results suggested that vaginal transplantation of L. crispatus chen-01 might be a promising treatment for patients with high-risk HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujuan Liu
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Gynaecology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiumiao Zhao
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fei Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juanzhen Luo
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chunling Wu
- Department of Gynaecology, Jingdezhen Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi 333000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingtao Chen
- Department of Gynaecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, People’s Republic of China
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
- National Engineering Research Center for Bioengineering Drugs and The Technologies, Institution of Translational Medicine, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Gerede A, Nikolettos K, Vavoulidis E, Margioula-Siarkou C, Petousis S, Giourga M, Fotinopoulos P, Salagianni M, Stavros S, Dinas K, Nikolettos N, Domali E. Vaginal Microbiome and Pregnancy Complications: A Review. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3875. [PMID: 38999442 PMCID: PMC11242209 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133875] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: There are indications that the microbial composition of the maternal mucosal surfaces is associated with adverse events during pregnancy. The aim of this review is to investigate the link between vaginal microbiome alterations and gestational complication risk. Methods: This comprehensive literature review was performed using Medline and Scopus databases. The following search algorithm was used, "Pregnancy Complications" [Mesh] AND (Vagin*), and after the literature screening, 44 studies were included in the final review. Results: The studies that were included investigated the association between vaginal microbial composition and preterm birth, miscarriage, preeclampsia, ectopic pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, chorioamnionitis, and preterm premature rupture of membranes. In most of the studies, it was well established that increased microbial diversity is associated with these conditions. Also, the depletion of Lactobacillus species is linked to most of the gestational complications, while the increased relative abundance and especially Lactobacillus crispatus may exert a protective effect in favor of the pregnant woman. Several pathogenic taxa including Gardnerella, Prevotella, Sneathia, Bacterial Vaginosis-Associated Bacteria-2, Atopobium, and Megasphera seem to be correlated to higher maternal morbidity. Conclusions: Vaginal microbiome aberrations seem to have an association with pregnancy-related adverse events, but more high-quality homogenous studies are necessary to reliably verify this link.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Gerede
- Unit of Maternal-Fetal-Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrake, GR-68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Nikolettos
- Unit of Maternal-Fetal-Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrake, GR-68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Vavoulidis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Chrysoula Margioula-Siarkou
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Stamatios Petousis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Giourga
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Fotinopoulos
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Salagianni
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Sofoklis Stavros
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Dinas
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Nikolettos
- Unit of Maternal-Fetal-Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrake, GR-68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Ekaterini Domali
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, GR-11528 Athens, Greece
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12
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Wang Y, Wang T, Yan D, Zhao H, Wang M, Liu T, Fan X, Xu X. Vaginal microbial profile of cervical cancer patients receiving chemoradiotherapy: the potential involvement of Lactobacillus iners in recurrence. J Transl Med 2024; 22:575. [PMID: 38886729 PMCID: PMC11184707 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05332-2] [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: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome is an immune defense against reproductive diseases and can serve as an important biomarker for cervical cancer. However, the intrinsic relationship between the recurrence and the vaginal microbiome in patients with cervical cancer before and after concurrent chemoradiotherapy is poorly understood. Here, we analyzed 125 vaginal microbial profiles from a patient cohort of stage IB-IVB cervical cancer using 16S metagenomic sequencing and deciphered the microbial composition and functional characteristics of the recurrent and non-recurrent both before and after chemoradiotherapy. We demonstrated that the abundance of beneficial bacteria and stability of the microbial community in the vagina decreased in the recurrence group, implying the unique characteristics of the vaginal microbiome for recurrent cervical cancer. Moreover, using machine learning, we identified Lactobacillus iners as the most important biomarker, combined with age and other biomarkers (such as Ndongobacter massiliensis, Corynebacterium pyruviciproducens ATCC BAA-1742, and Prevotella buccalis), and could predict cancer recurrence phenotype before chemoradiotherapy. This study prospectively employed rigorous bioinformatics analysis and highlights the critical role of vaginal microbiota in post-treatment cervical cancer recurrence, identifying promising biomarkers with prognostic significance in the context of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer. The role of L. iners in determining chemoradiation resistance in cervical cancer warrants further detailed investigation. Our results expand our understanding of cervical cancer recurrence and help develop better strategies for prognosis prediction and personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Tingzhang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Dingding Yan
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China
| | - Hongxia Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Meixia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Xiaoji Fan
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Microbiology, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Xiaoxian Xu
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China.
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310022, China.
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13
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Jawanda IK, Soni T, Kumari S, Prabha V. The evolving facets of vaginal microbiota transplantation: reinvigorating the unexplored frontier amid complex challenges. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:306. [PMID: 38878076 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04024-1] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
In an age of cutting-edge sequencing methods and worldwide endeavors such as The Human Microbiome Project and MetaHIT, the human microbiome stands as a complex and diverse community of microorganisms. A central theme in current scientific inquiry revolves around reinstating a balanced microbial composition, referred to as "eubiosis," as a targeted approach for treating vast array of diseases. Vaginal Microbiota Transplantation (VMT), inspired by the success of fecal microbiota transplantation, emerges as an innovative therapy addressing vaginal dysbacteriosis by transferring the complete microbiota from a healthy donor. Antibiotics, while effective, pose challenges with adverse effects, high recurrence rates, and potential harm to beneficial Lactobacillus strains. Continued antibiotic usage also sparks worries regarding the development of resistant strains. Probiotics, though showing promise, exhibit inconsistency in treating multifactorial diseases, and concerns linger about their suitability for diverse genetic backgrounds. Given the recurrent challenges associated with antibiotic and probiotic treatments, VMT emerges as an imperative alternative, offering a unique and promising avenue for efficiently and reliably managing vaginal dysbiosis among a majority of women. This review critically evaluates findings from both animal and human studies, offering nuanced insights into the efficacy and challenges of VMT. An extensive analysis of clinical trials, provides a current overview of ongoing and completed trials, shedding light on the evolving clinical landscape and therapeutic potential of VMT. Delving into the origins, mechanisms, and optimized protocols of VMT, the review underscores the imperative for sustained research efforts to advance this groundbreaking gynecological therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomson Soni
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Seema Kumari
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Vijay Prabha
- Department of Microbiology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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14
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Javadi K, Ferdosi-Shahandashti E, Rajabnia M, Khaledi M. Vaginal microbiota and gynecological cancers: a complex and evolving relationship. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:27. [PMID: 38877504 PMCID: PMC11179293 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00590-7] [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: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The vagina hosts a community of microorganisms known as the vaginal microbiota. This community is relatively stable and straightforward, with Lactobacillus species being the most dominant members. The vaginal microbiota has various functions that are essential for maintaining human health and balance. For example, it can metabolise dietary nutrients, produce growth factors, communicate with other bacteria, modulate the immune system, and prevent the invasion of harmful pathogens. When the vaginal microbiota is disrupted, it can lead to diseases and infections. The observed disturbance is distinguished by a reduction in the prevalence of Lactobacillus and a concurrent rise in the number of other bacterial species that exhibit a higher tolerance to low oxygen levels. Gynecologic cancers are a group of cancers that affect the female reproductive organs and tissues, such as the ovaries, uterus, cervix, vagina, vulva, and endometrium. These cancers are a major global health problem for women. Understanding the complex interactions between the host and the vaginal microorganisms may provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of gynecologic cancers. This could improve the quality of life and health outcomes for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasra Javadi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elaheh Ferdosi-Shahandashti
- Biomedical and Microbial Advanced Technologies Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mehdi Rajabnia
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
| | - Mansoor Khaledi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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15
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Li H, Han M, Xu J, Li N, Cui H. The vaginal microbial signatures of preterm birth woman. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:428. [PMID: 38877389 PMCID: PMC11177453 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06573-1] [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: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024] Open
Abstract
To explore the differences of vaginal microbes in women with preterm birth (PTB), and to construct prediction model. We searched for articles related to vaginal microbiology in preterm women and obtained four 16S rRNA-sequence datasets. We analyzed that for species diversity and differences, and constructed a random forest model with 20 differential genera. We introduce an independent whole genome-sequencing (WGS) data for validation. In addition, we collected vaginal and cervical swabs from 33 pregnant women who delivered spontaneously full-term and preterm infants, performed WGS in our lab to further validate the model. Compared to term birth (TB) samples, PTB women vagina were characterized by a decrease in Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and an increase in diversity accompanied by the colonization of pathogenic bacteria such as Gardnerella, Atopobium and Prevotella. Twenty genus markers, including Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Gardnerella performed well in predicting PTB, with study-to-study transfer validation and LODO validation, different gestation validation showing good results, and in two independent cohorts (external WGS cohorts and woman samples WGS cohorts) in which the accuracy was maintained. PTB women have unique vaginal microbiota characteristics. A predictive model of PTB was constructed and its value validated from multiple perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University Birth Cohort, Shenyang, 110004, China
| | - Mengzhen Han
- Department of Breast Medicine, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Junnan Xu
- Department of Breast Medicine, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Na Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University Birth Cohort, Shenyang, 110004, China.
| | - Hong Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, China Medical University Birth Cohort, Shenyang, 110004, China.
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16
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Cuffaro F, Russo E, Amedei A. Endometriosis, Pain, and Related Psychological Disorders: Unveiling the Interplay among the Microbiome, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress as a Common Thread. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6473. [PMID: 38928175 PMCID: PMC11203696 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126473] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EM), a chronic condition in endometrial tissue outside the uterus, affects around 10% of reproductive-age women, significantly affecting fertility. Its prevalence remains elusive due to the surgical confirmation needed for diagnosis. Manifesting with a range of symptoms, including dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, fatigue, and gastrointestinal discomfort, EM significantly impairs quality of life due to severe chronic pelvic pain (CPP). Psychological manifestations, notably depression and anxiety, frequently accompany the physical symptoms, with CPP serving as a key mediator. Pain stems from endometrial lesions, involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, angiogenesis, and sensitization processes. Microbial dysbiosis appears to be crucial in the inflammatory mechanisms underlying EM and associated CPP, as well as psychological symptoms. In this scenario, dietary interventions and nutritional supplements could help manage EM symptoms by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, and the microbiome. Our manuscript starts by delving into the complex relationship between EM pain and psychological comorbidities. It subsequently addresses the emerging roles of the microbiome, inflammation, and oxidative stress as common links among these abovementioned conditions. Furthermore, the review explores how dietary and nutritional interventions may influence the composition and function of the microbiome, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, alleviate pain, and potentially affect EM-associated psychological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cuffaro
- Division of Interdisciplinary Internal Medicine, Careggi University Hospital of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Edda Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), 50139 Florence, Italy
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17
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Spurgeon ME, Townsend EC, Blaine-Sauer S, McGregor SM, Horswill M, den Boon JA, Ahlquist P, Kalan L, Lambert PF. Key aspects of papillomavirus infection influence the host cervicovaginal microbiome in a preclinical murine papillomavirus (MmuPV1) infection model. mBio 2024; 15:e0093324. [PMID: 38742830 PMCID: PMC11237646 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00933-24] [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: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States and are a major etiological agent of cancers in the anogenital tract and oral cavity. Growing evidence suggests changes in the host microbiome are associated with the natural history and ultimate outcome of HPV infection. We sought to define changes in the host cervicovaginal microbiome during papillomavirus infection, persistence, and pathogenesis using the murine papillomavirus (MmuPV1) cervicovaginal infection model. Cervicovaginal lavages were performed over a time course of MmuPV1 infection in immunocompetent female FVB/N mice and extracted DNA was analyzed by qPCR to track MmuPV1 viral copy number. 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing was used to determine the composition and diversity of microbial communities throughout this time course. We also sought to determine whether specific microbial communities exist across the spectrum of MmuPV1-induced neoplastic disease. We, therefore, performed laser-capture microdissection to isolate regions of disease representing all stages of neoplastic disease progression (normal, low- and high-grade dysplasia, and cancer) from female reproductive tract tissue sections from MmuPV1-infected mice and performed 16S rRNA sequencing. Consistent with other studies, we found that the natural murine cervicovaginal microbiome is highly variable across different experiments. Despite these differences in initial microbiome composition between experiments, we observed that MmuPV1 persistence, viral load, and severity of disease influenced the composition of the cervicovaginal microbiome. These studies demonstrate that papillomavirus infection can alter the cervicovaginal microbiome.IMPORTANCEHuman papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. A subset of HPVs that infect the anogenital tract (cervix, vagina, anus) and oral cavity cause at least 5% of cancers worldwide. Recent evidence indicates that the community of microbial organisms present in the human cervix and vagina, known as the cervicovaginal microbiome, plays a role in HPV-induced cervical cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying this interplay are not well-defined. In this study, we infected the female reproductive tract of mice with a murine papillomavirus (MmuPV1) and found that key aspects of papillomavirus infection and disease influence the host cervicovaginal microbiome. This is the first study to define changes in the host microbiome associated with MmuPV1 infection in a preclinical animal model of HPV-induced cervical cancer. These results pave the way for using MmuPV1 infection models to further investigate the interactions between papillomaviruses and the host microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Spurgeon
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Townsend
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Microbiology Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Simon Blaine-Sauer
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Stephanie M. McGregor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mark Horswill
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Johan A. den Boon
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Paul Ahlquist
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe Center for Research in Virology, Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Lindsay Kalan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- David Braley Centre for Antibiotic Discovery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul F. Lambert
- McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Liu S, Alipour H, Zachar V, Kesmodel US, Dardmeh F. Effect of Postbiotics Derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) on Sperm Quality: A Prospective In Vitro Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1781. [PMID: 38892713 PMCID: PMC11174611 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111781] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaginally administered postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus were recently demonstrated to be effective in alleviating bacterial vaginosis and increasing pregnancy rates. However, their potential effect on sperm quality has not been well investigated. This controlled in vitro study aimed to assess the dose- and time-dependent effects of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus rhamnosus PB01 (DSM 14870) on sperm quality parameters. The experiment was conducted in vitro to eliminate potential confounding factors from the female reproductive tract and vaginal microbiota. Sperm samples from 18 healthy donors were subjected to analysis using Computer-Aided Sperm Analysis (CASA) in various concentrations of postbiotics and control mediums at baseline, 60 min, and 90 min of incubation. Results indicated that lower postbiotic concentration (PB5) did not adversely affect sperm motility, kinematic parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and normal morphology at any time. However, concentrations exceeding 15% demonstrated a reduction in progressively motile sperm and a negative correlation with non-progressively motile sperm at all time points. These findings underscore the importance of balancing postbiotic dosage to preserve sperm motility while realizing the postbiotics' vaginal health benefits. Further research is warranted to understand the underlying mechanisms and refine practical applications in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sihan Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Hiva Alipour
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Vladimir Zachar
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
| | - Ulrik Schiøler Kesmodel
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Fereshteh Dardmeh
- Regenerative Medicine Group, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9260 Gistrup, Denmark; (H.A.); (V.Z.)
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19
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Megli CJ, DePuyt AE, Goff JP, Munyoki SK, Hooven TA, Jašarević E. Diet influences community dynamics following vaginal group B streptococcus colonization. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0362323. [PMID: 38722155 PMCID: PMC11237455 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03623-23] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiota plays a pivotal role in reproductive, sexual, and perinatal health and disease. Unlike the well-established connections between diet, metabolism, and the intestinal microbiota, parallel mechanisms influencing the vaginal microbiota and pathogen colonization remain overlooked. In this study, we combine a mouse model of Streptococcus agalactiae strain COH1 [group B Streptococcus (GBS)] vaginal colonization with a mouse model of pubertal-onset obesity to assess diet as a determinant of vaginal microbiota composition and its role in colonization resistance. We leveraged culture-dependent assessment of GBS clearance and culture-independent, sequencing-based reconstruction of the vaginal microbiota in relation to diet, obesity, glucose tolerance, and microbial dynamics across time scales. Our findings demonstrate that excessive body weight gain and glucose intolerance are not associated with vaginal GBS density or timing of clearance. Diets high in fat and low in soluble fiber are associated with vaginal GBS persistence, and changes in vaginal microbiota structure and composition due to diet contribute to GBS clearance patterns in nonpregnant mice. These findings underscore a critical need for studies on diet as a key determinant of vaginal microbiota composition and its relevance to reproductive and perinatal outcomes.IMPORTANCEThis work sheds light on diet as a key determinant influencing the composition of vaginal microbiota and its involvement in group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization in a mouse model. This study shows that mice fed diets with different nutritional composition display differences in GBS density and timing of clearance in the female reproductive tract. These findings are particularly significant given clear links between GBS and adverse reproductive and neonatal outcomes, advancing our understanding by identifying critical connections between dietary components, factors originating from the intestinal tract, vaginal microbiota, and reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J. Megli
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Reproductive Infectious Disease, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Allison E. DePuyt
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Julie P. Goff
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sarah K. Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Thomas A. Hooven
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Richard King Mellon Institute for Pediatric Research, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Eldin Jašarević
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Computational and Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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20
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Stennett CA, France M, Shardell M, Robbins SJ, Brown SE, Johnston ED, Mark K, Ravel J, Brotman RM. Longitudinal profiles of the vaginal microbiota of pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal women: preliminary insights from a secondary data analysis. Menopause 2024; 31:537-545. [PMID: 38787353 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000002358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Menopause is often accompanied by lowered Lactobacillus spp. relative abundance and increased abundance of diverse anaerobic/aerobic bacteria in the vaginal microbiota due in part to declines in estrogen. These microbiota are associated with urogenital symptoms and infections. In premenopause, vaginal microbiota can fluctuate rapidly, particularly with menstrual cycles and sexual activity; however, the longitudinal dynamics of vaginal microbiota are understudied in peri- and postmenopause. We described vaginal community stability across reproductive stages. METHODS Pre- (n = 83), peri- (n = 8), and postmenopausal (n = 11) participants provided twice-weekly mid-vaginal samples (total, 1,556; average, 15 per participant) over 8 weeks in an observational study. Composition of the vaginal microbiota was characterized by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and a community state type (CST) was assigned to each sample. Clustering of longitudinal CST profiles, CST transition rates, duration of low-Lactobacillus/high bacterial diversity CSTs, and other metrics of bacterial community dynamics were assessed across reproductive stages. RESULTS The proportion of participants with longitudinal CST profiles characterized by low-Lactobacillus CSTs was similar among pre- (38.6%), peri- (37.5%), and postmenopausal (36.4%) participants (P = 0.69). CST transition rates between consecutive samples were 21.1%, 16.7%, and 14.6% for pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal participants, respectively (P = 0.49). Low-Lactobacillus CST tended to persist for at least 4 weeks, irrespective of reproductive stage. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this small yet frequently sampled cohort revealed vaginal bacterial fluctuations over 8 weeks that were similar across reproductive stages. Larger and longer-term studies based on these preliminary data could provide insights into the influence of microbiota dynamics on urogenital outcomes during menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth D Johnston
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Katrina Mark
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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21
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Wang T, Li P, Bai X, Tian S, Yang M, Leng D, Kui H, Zhang S, Yan X, Zheng Q, Luo P, He C, Jia Y, Wu Z, Qiu H, Li J, Wan F, Ali MA, Mao R, Liu Y, Li D. Vaginal microbiota are associated with in vitro fertilization during female infertility. IMETA 2024; 3:e185. [PMID: 38898981 PMCID: PMC11183179 DOI: 10.1002/imt2.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome plays an essential role in the reproductive health of human females. As infertility increases worldwide, understanding the roles that the vaginal microbiome may have in infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes is critical. To determine the vaginal microbiome composition of 1411 individuals (1255 undergoing embryo transplantation) and their associations with reproductive outcomes, clinical and biochemical features are measured, and vaginal samples are 16S rRNA sequenced. Our results suggest that both too high and too low abundance of Lactobacillus is not beneficial for pregnancy; a moderate abundance is more beneficial. A moderate abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners (~80%) (with a pregnancy rate of I-B: 54.35% and III-B: 57.73%) is found beneficial for pregnancy outcomes compared with a higher abundance (>90%) of Lactobacillus (I-A: 44.81% and III-A: 51.06%, respectively). The community state type (CST) IV-B (contains a high to moderate relative abundance of Gardnerella vaginalis) shows a similar pregnant ratio (48.09%) with I-A and III-A, and the pregnant women in this CST have a higher abundance of Lactobacillus species. Metagenome analysis of 71 samples shows that nonpregnant women are detected with more antibiotic-resistance genes, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes are the main hosts. The inherent differences within and between women in different infertility groups suggest that vaginal microbes might be used to detect infertility and potentially improve IVF outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Antibiotics Research and Re‐evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of PharmacyChengdu UniversityChengduChina
| | - Penghao Li
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Xue Bai
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
- College of Animal Science and TechnologySichuan Agricultural UniversityChengduChina
| | - Shilin Tian
- College of Life SciencesWuhan UniversityWuhanChina
| | - Maosen Yang
- Antibiotics Research and Re‐evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of PharmacyChengdu UniversityChengduChina
| | - Dong Leng
- College of Animal Science and TechnologySichuan Agricultural UniversityChengduChina
| | - Hua Kui
- College of Animal Science and TechnologySichuan Agricultural UniversityChengduChina
| | - Sujuan Zhang
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Xiaomiao Yan
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Qu Zheng
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Pulin Luo
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Changming He
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Yan Jia
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Zhoulin Wu
- College of Food and Biological EngineeringChengdu UniversityChengduChina
| | - Huimin Qiu
- College of AgricultureKunming UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Jing Li
- College of AgricultureKunming UniversityKunmingChina
| | - Feng Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine ResourcesChengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Muhammad A. Ali
- School of Biological SciencesUniversity of the PunjabLahorePakistan
| | - Rurong Mao
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's HospitalChengduChina
| | - Yong‐Xin Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory of Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at ShenzhenChinese Academy of Agricultural SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Diyan Li
- Antibiotics Research and Re‐evaluation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, School of PharmacyChengdu UniversityChengduChina
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22
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Vomstein K, Krog MC, Wrønding T, Nielsen HS. The microbiome in recurrent pregnancy loss - A scoping review. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104251. [PMID: 38718429 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104251] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a troubling condition that affects couples worldwide. Despite extensive research efforts, many RPL cases remain unexplained, highlighting the need for novel approaches to unravel its underlying mechanisms. Recent advances in microbiome research have shed light on the potential role of the microbiome in reproductive health and outcomes. Based on a systematic literature research, this review aims to comprehensively explore the current understanding of the microbiome's involvement in RPL, focusing on the vaginal, endometrial, and gut microbiomes. Evidence from the available studies is examined to explain the relationship between the microbiome and RPL. Furthermore, we discuss the diagnostic potential of the microbiome, therapeutic interventions, and future directions in microbiome research for RPL. Understanding the complex interactions between the microbiome and reproductive health holds promise for developing targeted interventions to help patients today diagnosed as unexplained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Vomstein
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre & Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark.
| | - Maria C Krog
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre & Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Tine Wrønding
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre & Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark
| | - Henriette Svarre Nielsen
- The Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Unit, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre & Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fertility Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, DK-2650, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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23
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Elovitz M, Anton L, Cristancho A, Ferguson B, Joseph A, Ravel J. Vaginal microbes alter epithelial transcriptome and induce epigenomic modifications providing insight into mechanisms for susceptibility to adverse reproductive outcomes. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4385224. [PMID: 38854063 PMCID: PMC11160883 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4385224/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The cervicovaginal microbiome is highly associated with women's health, with microbial communities dominated by Lactobacillus species considered optimal. Conversely, a lack of lactobacilli and a high abundance of strict and facultative anaerobes, including Gardnerella vaginalis, have been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. However, how host-microbial interactions alter specific molecular pathways and impact cervical and vaginal epithelial function remains unclear. Using RNA-sequencing, we characterized the in vitro cervicovaginal epithelial transcriptional response to different vaginal bacteria and their culture supernatants. We showed that G. vaginalis upregulates genes associated with an activated innate immune response. Unexpectedly, G. vaginalis specifically induced inflammasome pathways through activation of NLRP3-mediated increases in caspase-1, IL-1β and cell death, while live L. crispatus had minimal transcriptomic changes on epithelial cells. L. crispatus culture supernatants resulted in a shift in the epigenomic landscape of cervical epithelial cells that was confirmed by ATAC-sequencing showing reduced chromatin accessibility. This study reveals new insights into host-microbe interactions in the lower reproductive tract and suggests potential therapeutic strategies leveraging the vaginal microbiome to improve reproductive health.
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24
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Ezra S, Bashan A. Network impact of a single-time-point microbial sample. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301683. [PMID: 38814902 PMCID: PMC11139317 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The human microbiome plays a crucial role in determining our well-being and can significantly influence human health. The individualized nature of the microbiome may reveal host-specific information about the health state of the subject. In particular, the microbiome is an ecosystem shaped by a tangled network of species-species and host-species interactions. Thus, analysis of the ecological balance of microbial communities can provide insights into these underlying interrelations. However, traditional methods for network analysis require many samples, while in practice only a single-time-point microbial sample is available in clinical screening. Recently, a method for the analysis of a single-time-point sample, which evaluates its 'network impact' with respect to a reference cohort, has been applied to analyze microbial samples from women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Here, we introduce different variations of the network impact approach and systematically study their performance using simulated 'samples' fabricated via the Generalized Lotka-Volttera model of ecological dynamics. We show that the network impact of a single sample captures the effect of the interactions between the species, and thus can be applied to anomaly detection of shuffled samples, which are 'normal' in terms of species abundance but 'abnormal' in terms of species-species interrelations. In addition, we demonstrate the use of the network impact in binary and multiclass classifications, where the reference cohorts have similar abundance profiles but different species-species interactions. Individualized analysis of the human microbiome has the potential to improve diagnosis and personalized treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Ezra
- Physics Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Amir Bashan
- Physics Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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25
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Izadifar Z, Cotton J, Chen S, Horvath V, Stejskalova A, Gulati A, LoGrande NT, Budnik B, Shahriar S, Doherty ER, Xie Y, To T, Gilpin SE, Sesay AM, Goyal G, Lebrilla CB, Ingber DE. Mucus production, host-microbiome interactions, hormone sensitivity, and innate immune responses modeled in human cervix chips. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4578. [PMID: 38811586 PMCID: PMC11137093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48910-0] [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: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the cervix by steroid hormones and commensal microbiome play a central role in the health of the female reproductive tract. Here we describe organ-on-a-chip (Organ Chip) models that recreate the human cervical epithelial-stromal interface with a functional epithelial barrier and production of mucus with biochemical and hormone-responsive properties similar to living cervix. When Cervix Chips are populated with optimal healthy versus dysbiotic microbial communities (dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus and Gardnerella vaginalis, respectively), significant differences in tissue innate immune responses, barrier function, cell viability, proteome, and mucus composition are observed that are similar to those seen in vivo. Thus, human Cervix Organ Chips represent physiologically relevant in vitro models to study cervix physiology and host-microbiome interactions, and hence may be used as a preclinical testbed for development of therapeutic interventions to enhance women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Izadifar
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Urology Department, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Justin Cotton
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Siyu Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Viktor Horvath
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Anna Stejskalova
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Aakanksha Gulati
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Nina T LoGrande
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Bogdan Budnik
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sanjid Shahriar
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Erin R Doherty
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Yixuan Xie
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Tania To
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sarah E Gilpin
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Adama M Sesay
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Girija Goyal
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Carlito B Lebrilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of California Davis, Davis, California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Donald E Ingber
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Vascular Biology Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, 02134, USA.
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26
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Dong W, Wang S, Wang X, Xu G, Liu Q, Li Z, Lv N, Pan Y, Xiong Q, Liu D, Zhu B. Characteristics of Vaginal Microbiota of Women of Reproductive Age with Infections. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1030. [PMID: 38792859 PMCID: PMC11124179 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiota can be classified into five major community state types (CSTs) based on the bacterial content. However, the link between different CST subtypes and vaginal infection remains unclear. Here, we analyzed 2017 vaginal microbiota samples from women of a reproductive age with vaginal infections that were published in the last decade. We found that L. iners was the most dominant in 34.8% of the vaginal samples, followed by L. crispatus (21.2%). CST I was common in healthy individuals, whereas CST III and IV were associated with dysbiosis and infection. CST III-B, IV-A, IV-B, and IV-C0 were prevalent in patients with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Based on the relative abundance of bacteria at the (sub)genus level, a random forest classifier was developed to predict vaginal infections with an area under the curve of 0.83. We further identified four modules of co-occurring bacterial taxa: L. crispatus, Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Bacteroides. The functional prediction revealed that nucleotide biosynthesis pathways were upregulated in patients with human papilloma virus, and carbohydrate degradation pathways were downregulated in patients with BV. Overall, our study identified the bacterial signatures of healthy and infected vaginal microbiota, providing unique insights into the clinical diagnosis and health status prediction of women of a reproductive age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanting Dong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Siyi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guojin Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Qiuying Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Zheng Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Na Lv
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Yuanlong Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Qian Xiong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
| | - Donglai Liu
- Division II of In Vitro Diagnostics for Infectious Diseases, Institute for In Vitro Diagnostics Control, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Medical Devices, Beijing 100050, China
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of In Vitro Diagnostics, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Baoli Zhu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (W.D.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan 250117, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Antimicrobial Resistance and Pathogen Genomics, Beijing 100101, China
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27
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George SD, Van Gerwen OT, Dong C, Sousa LGV, Cerca N, Elnaggar JH, Taylor CM, Muzny CA. The Role of Prevotella Species in Female Genital Tract Infections. Pathogens 2024; 13:364. [PMID: 38787215 PMCID: PMC11123741 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Female genital tract infections (FGTIs) include vaginal infections (e.g., bacterial vaginosis [BV]), endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease [PID], and chorioamnionitis [amniotic fluid infection]. They commonly occur in women of reproductive age and are strongly associated with multiple adverse health outcomes including increased risk of HIV/sexually transmitted infection acquisition and transmission, infertility, and adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth. These FGTIs are characterized by a disruption of the cervicovaginal microbiota which largely affects host immunity through the loss of protective, lactic acid-producing Lactobacillus spp. and the overgrowth of facultative and strict anaerobic bacteria. Prevotella species (spp.), anaerobic Gram-negative rods, are implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple bacterial FGTIs. Specifically, P. bivia, P. amnii, and P. timonensis have unique virulence factors in this setting, including resistance to antibiotics commonly used in treatment. Additionally, evidence suggests that the presence of Prevotella spp. in untreated BV cases can lead to infections of the upper female genital tract by ascension into the uterus. This narrative review aims to explore the most common Prevotella spp. in FGTIs, highlight their important role in the pathogenesis of FGTIs, and propose future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheridan D. George
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (O.T.V.G.); (C.D.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Olivia T. Van Gerwen
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (O.T.V.G.); (C.D.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Chaoling Dong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (O.T.V.G.); (C.D.); (C.A.M.)
| | - Lúcia G. V. Sousa
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (L.G.V.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Nuno Cerca
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), Laboratory of Research in Biofilms Rosário Oliveira (LIBRO), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (L.G.V.S.); (N.C.)
| | - Jacob H. Elnaggar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (J.H.E.); (C.M.T.)
| | - Christopher M. Taylor
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA; (J.H.E.); (C.M.T.)
| | - Christina A. Muzny
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (O.T.V.G.); (C.D.); (C.A.M.)
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Chaiyasut C, Sivamaruthi BS, Thangaleela S, Sisubalan N, Bharathi M, Khongtan S, Kesika P, Sirilun S, Choeisoongnern T, Peerajan S, Fukngoen P, Sittiprapaporn P, Rungseevijitprapa W. Influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Supplementation on the Glycaemic Index, Lipid Profile, and Microbiome of Healthy Elderly Subjects: A Preliminary Randomized Clinical Trial. Foods 2024; 13:1293. [PMID: 38731665 PMCID: PMC11083618 DOI: 10.3390/foods13091293] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is a time-dependent complex biological process of organisms with gradual deterioration of the anatomical and physiological functions. The role of gut microbiota is inevitable in the aging process. Probiotic interventions improve gut homeostasis and support healthy aging by enhancing beneficial species and microbial biodiversity in older adults. The present preliminary clinical trial delves into the impact of an 8-week Lactobacillus rhamnosus intervention (10 × 109 CFU per day) on the glycaemic index, lipid profile, and microbiome of elderly subjects. Body weight, body fat, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are assessed at baseline (Week 0) and after treatment (Week 8) in placebo and probiotic groups. Gaussian regression analysis highlights a significant improvement in LDL cholesterol in the probiotic group (p = 0.045). Microbiome analysis reveals numeric changes in taxonomic abundance at various levels. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria increases its relative frequency (RF) from 14.79 ± 5.58 at baseline to 23.46 ± 8.02 at 8 weeks, though statistically insignificant (p = 0.100). Compared to the placebo group, probiotic supplementations significantly increased the proteobacteria abundance. Genus-level analysis indicates changes in the abundance of several microbes, including Escherichia-Shigella, Akkermansia, and Bacteroides, but only Butyricimonas showed a statistically significant level of reduction in its abundance. Probiotic supplementations significantly altered the Escherichia-Shigella and Sutterella abundance compared to the placebo group. At the species level, Bacteroides vulgatus substantially increases after probiotic treatment (p = 0.021). Alpha and beta diversity assessments depict subtle shifts in microbial composition. The study has limitations, including a small sample size, short study duration, single-strain probiotic use, and lack of long-term follow-up. Despite these constraints, the study provides valuable preliminary insights into the multifaceted impact of L. rhamnosus on elderly subjects. Further detailed studies are required to define the beneficial effect of L. rhamnosus on the health status of elderly subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaiyavat Chaiyasut
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Subramanian Thangaleela
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Natarajan Sisubalan
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Muruganantham Bharathi
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
| | - Suchanat Khongtan
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Periyanaina Kesika
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Sasithorn Sirilun
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Thiwanya Choeisoongnern
- Neuropsychological Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | | | - Pranom Fukngoen
- Innovation Center for Holistic Health, Nutraceuticals, and Cosmeceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; (C.C.); (B.S.S.); (N.S.); (P.K.)
- Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Phakkharawat Sittiprapaporn
- Neuropsychological Research Laboratory, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
| | - Wandee Rungseevijitprapa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani 34190, Thailand
- School of Cosmetic Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Muang District, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
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Wei X, Tsai MS, Liang L, Jiang L, Hung CJ, Jelliffe-Pawlowski L, Rand L, Snyder M, Jiang C. Vaginal microbiomes show ethnic evolutionary dynamics and positive selection of Lactobacillus adhesins driven by a long-term niche-specific process. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114078. [PMID: 38598334 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114078] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The vaginal microbiome's composition varies among ethnicities. However, the evolutionary landscape of the vaginal microbiome in the multi-ethnic context remains understudied. We perform a systematic evolutionary analysis of 351 vaginal microbiome samples from 35 multi-ethnic pregnant women, in addition to two validation cohorts, totaling 462 samples from 90 women. Microbiome alpha diversity and community state dynamics show strong ethnic signatures. Lactobacillaceae have a higher ratio of non-synonymous to synonymous polymorphism and lower nucleotide diversity than non-Lactobacillaceae in all ethnicities, with a large repertoire of positively selected genes, including the mucin-binding and cell wall anchor genes. These evolutionary dynamics are driven by the long-term evolutionary process unique to the human vaginal niche. Finally, we propose an evolutionary model reflecting the environmental niches of microbes. Our study reveals the extensive ethnic signatures in vaginal microbial ecology and evolution, highlighting the importance of studying the host-microbiome ecosystem from an evolutionary perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China
| | - Ming-Shian Tsai
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Liang Liang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Liuyiqi Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China
| | - Chia-Jui Hung
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Laura Jelliffe-Pawlowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Larry Rand
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Michael Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Chao Jiang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection, and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310030, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310009, China.
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30
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Shen J, Sun H, Chu J, Gong X, Liu X. Cervicovaginal microbiota: a promising direction for prevention and treatment in cervical cancer. Infect Agent Cancer 2024; 19:13. [PMID: 38641803 PMCID: PMC11027553 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-024-00573-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a common malignancy in women, with high incidence rate and mortality. Persistent infection of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer and precancerous lesions. Cervicovaginal microbiota (CVM) plays an essential role in the defense of HPV infections and prevention of subsequent lesions. Dominance of Lactobacillus is the key of CVM homeostasis, which can be regulated by host, exogenous and endogenous factors. Dysbiosis of CVM, including altered microbial, metabolic, and immune signatures, can contribute to persist HPV infection, leading to cervical cancer. However, there is no evidence of the causality between CVM and cervical cancer, and the underlying mechanism remains unexplored. Considering the close correlation between CVM dysbiosis and persistent HPV infection, this review will overview CVM, its role in cervical cancer development and related mechanisms, and the prospects for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Chu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodi Gong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changzheng Hospital), 200003, Shanghai, China.
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31
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Scheible K, Beblavy R, Sohn MB, Qui X, Gill AL, Narvaez-Miranda J, Brunner J, Miller RK, Barrett ES, O’Connor TG, Gill SR. Affective Symptoms in Pregnancy are Associated with the Vaginal Microbiome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.12.589254. [PMID: 38645042 PMCID: PMC11030453 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.12.589254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Composition of the vaginal microbiome in pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal, obstetric, and child health outcomes. Identifying the sources of individual differences in the vaginal microbiome is therefore of considerable clinical and public health interest. The current study tested the hypothesis that vaginal microbiome composition during pregnancy is associated with an individual's experience of affective symptoms and stress exposure. Data were based on a prospective longitudinal study of a diverse and medically healthy community sample of 275 mother-infant pairs. Affective symptoms and stress exposure and select measures of associated biomarkers (diurnal salivary cortisol, serum measures of sex hormones) were collected at each trimester; self-report, clinical, and medical records were used to collect detailed data on socio-demographic factors and health behavior, including diet and sleep. Vaginal microbiome samples were collected in the third trimester (34-40 weeks) and characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. Identified taxa were clustered into three community state types (CST1-3) based on dissimilarity of vaginal microbiota composition. Results indicate that depressive symptoms during pregnancy were reliably associated with individual taxa and CST3 in the third trimester. Prediction of functional potential from 16S taxonomy revealed a differential abundance of metabolic pathways in CST1-3 and individual taxa, including biosynthetic pathways for the neuroactive metabolites, serotonin and dopamine. With the exception of bioavailable testosterone, no significant associations were found between symptoms- and stress-related biomarkers and CSTs. Our results provide further evidence of how prenatal psychological distress during pregnancy alters the maternal-fetal microbiome ecosystem that may be important for understanding maternal and child health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Scheible
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Robert Beblavy
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Michael B. Sohn
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Xing Qui
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Ann L. Gill
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Janiret Narvaez-Miranda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jessica Brunner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Richard K. Miller
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Emily S. Barrett
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Tom G. O’Connor
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Wynne Center for Family Research, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Steven R. Gill
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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32
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Sizemore N, Oliphant K, Zheng R, Martin CR, Claud EC, Chattopadhyay I. A digital twin of the infant microbiome to predict neurodevelopmental deficits. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj0400. [PMID: 38598636 PMCID: PMC11006218 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj0400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Despite the recognized gut-brain axis link, natural variations in microbial profiles between patients hinder definition of normal abundance ranges, confounding the impact of dysbiosis on infant neurodevelopment. We infer a digital twin of the infant microbiome, forecasting ecosystem trajectories from a few initial observations. Using 16S ribosomal RNA profiles from 88 preterm infants (398 fecal samples and 32,942 abundance estimates for 91 microbial classes), the model (Q-net) predicts abundance dynamics with R2 = 0.69. Contrasting the fit to Q-nets of typical versus suboptimal development, we can reliably estimate individual deficit risk (Mδ) and identify infants achieving poor future head circumference growth with ≈76% area under the receiver operator characteristic curve, 95% ± 1.8% positive predictive value at 98% specificity at 30 weeks postmenstrual age. We find that early transplantation might mitigate risk for ≈45.2% of the cohort, with potentially negative effects from incorrect supplementation. Q-nets are generative artificial intelligence models for ecosystem dynamics, with broad potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Sizemore
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Oliphant
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ruolin Zheng
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Camilia R. Martin
- Division of Neonatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Erika C. Claud
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Neonatology Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Ishanu Chattopadhyay
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Quantitative Methods in Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Committee on Genetics, Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Center for Health Statistics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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33
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Zhou X, Shen X, Johnson JS, Spakowicz DJ, Agnello M, Zhou W, Avina M, Honkala A, Chleilat F, Chen SJ, Cha K, Leopold S, Zhu C, Chen L, Lyu L, Hornburg D, Wu S, Zhang X, Jiang C, Jiang L, Jiang L, Jian R, Brooks AW, Wang M, Contrepois K, Gao P, Rose SMSF, Tran TDB, Nguyen H, Celli A, Hong BY, Bautista EJ, Dorsett Y, Kavathas PB, Zhou Y, Sodergren E, Weinstock GM, Snyder MP. Longitudinal profiling of the microbiome at four body sites reveals core stability and individualized dynamics during health and disease. Cell Host Microbe 2024; 32:506-526.e9. [PMID: 38479397 PMCID: PMC11022754 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2024.02.012] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
To understand the dynamic interplay between the human microbiome and host during health and disease, we analyzed the microbial composition, temporal dynamics, and associations with host multi-omics, immune, and clinical markers of microbiomes from four body sites in 86 participants over 6 years. We found that microbiome stability and individuality are body-site specific and heavily influenced by the host. The stool and oral microbiome are more stable than the skin and nasal microbiomes, possibly due to their interaction with the host and environment. We identify individual-specific and commonly shared bacterial taxa, with individualized taxa showing greater stability. Interestingly, microbiome dynamics correlate across body sites, suggesting systemic dynamics influenced by host-microbial-environment interactions. Notably, insulin-resistant individuals show altered microbial stability and associations among microbiome, molecular markers, and clinical features, suggesting their disrupted interaction in metabolic disease. Our study offers comprehensive views of multi-site microbial dynamics and their relationship with host health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Xiaotao Shen
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jethro S Johnson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK
| | - Daniel J Spakowicz
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Division of Medical Oncology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | | | - Wenyu Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Monica Avina
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alexander Honkala
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Healthcare Innovation Labs, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Faye Chleilat
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shirley Jingyi Chen
- Stanford Healthcare Innovation Labs, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kexin Cha
- Stanford Healthcare Innovation Labs, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Shana Leopold
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Chenchen Zhu
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lei Chen
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PRC
| | - Lin Lyu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PRC
| | - Daniel Hornburg
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Si Wu
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PRC
| | - Liuyiqi Jiang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, PRC
| | - Lihua Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ruiqi Jian
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Andrew W Brooks
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kévin Contrepois
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | | | - Hoan Nguyen
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Alessandra Celli
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bo-Young Hong
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Woody L Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Eddy J Bautista
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), Headquarters-Mosquera, Cundinamarca 250047, Colombia
| | - Yair Dorsett
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Paula B Kavathas
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yanjiao Zhou
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Erica Sodergren
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | | | - Michael P Snyder
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Diabetes Research Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Healthcare Innovation Labs, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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34
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Feng D, Zhang F, Cai J, Zhang Y, Yan H, Yang Y, Zhong H, Ye H. Functional testing is a complementary tool for the diagnosis of vaginitis. BMC Womens Health 2024; 24:224. [PMID: 38582823 PMCID: PMC10998416 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03035-w] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Vaginal microbiota evaluation is a methodology widely used in China to diagnose various vaginal inflammatory diseases. Although vaginal microbiota evaluation has many advantages, it is time-consuming and requires highly skilled and experienced operators. Here, we investigated a six-index functional test that analyzed pH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), leukocyte esterase (LEU), sialidase (SNA), β-glucuronidase (GUS), and acetylglucossidase (NAG), and determined its diagnostic value by comparing it with morphological tests of vaginal microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research was conducted using data extracted from the Laboratory Information System of Women and Children's Hospital. A total of 4902 subjects, ranging in age from 35.4 ± 9.7 years, were analyzed. During the consultation, a minimum of two vaginal swab specimens per patient were collected for both functional and morphological testing. Fisher's exact was used to analyze data using SPSS. RESULTS Of the 4,902 patients, 2,454 were considered to have normal Lactobacillus morphotypes and 3,334 were considered to have normal dominant microbiota. The sensitivity and specificity of H2O2-indicating Lactobacillus morphotypes were 91.3% and 25.28%, respectively, while those of pH-indicating Lactobacillus morphotypes were 88.09% and 59.52%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of H2O2-indicating dominant microbiota were 91.3% and 25.3%, respectively, while those of pH-indicating dominant microbiota were 86.27% and 64.45%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of NAG for vulvovaginal candidiasis were 40.64% and 84.8%, respectively. For aerobic vaginitis, GUS sensitivity was low at 0.52%, while its specificity was high at 99.93%; the LEU sensitivity and specificity values were 94.73% and 27.49%, respectively. Finally, SNA sensitivity and specificity for bacterial vaginosis were 80.72% and 96.78%, respectively. CONCLUSION Functional tests (pH, SNA, H2O2, LEU) showed satisfactory sensitivity for the detection of vaginal inflammatory diseases. However, these tests lacked specificity, making it difficult to accurately identify specific pathologies. By contrast, NAG and GUS showed excellent specificity in identifying vaginal inflammatory diseases, but their sensitivity was limited. Therefore, functional tests alone are not sufficient to diagnose various vaginal inflammatory diseases. When functional and morphological tests are inconsistent, morphological tests are currently considered the preferred reference method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danqin Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Fuhui Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jianguo Cai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yansheng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Honghong Yan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yichi Yang
- Department of Social Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan
| | - Hongxiu Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Huiming Ye
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fujian Key Clinical Specialty of Laboratory Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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Zhang J, Yu D, Wang T, Gao N, Shi L, Wang Y, Huo Y, Ji Z, Li J, Zhang X, Zhang L, Yan J. Body fluids should be identified before estimating the time since deposition (TsD) in microbiome-based stain analyses for forensics. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0248023. [PMID: 38470485 PMCID: PMC10986545 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02480-23] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Identification and the time since deposition (TsD) estimation of body fluid stains from a crime scene could provide valuable information for solving the cases and are always difficult for forensics. Microbial characteristics were considered as a promising biomarker to address the issues. However, changes in the microbiota may damage the specific characteristics of body fluids. Correspondingly, incorrect body fluid identification may result in inaccurate TsD estimation. The mutual influence is not well understood and limited the codetection. In the current study, saliva, semen, vaginal secretion, and menstrual blood samples were exposed to indoor conditions and collected at eight time points (from fresh to 30 days). High-throughput sequencing based on the 16S rRNA gene was performed to characterize the microbial communities. The results showed that a longer TsD could decrease the discrimination of different body fluid stains. However, the accuracies of identification still reached a quite high value even without knowing the TsD. Correspondingly, the mean absolute error (MAE) of TsD estimation significantly increased without distinguishing the types of body fluids. The predictive TsD of menstrual blood reached a quite low MAE (1.54 ± 0.39 d). In comparison, those of saliva (6.57 ± 1.17 d), semen (6.48 ± 1.33 d), and vaginal secretion (5.35 ± 1.11 d) needed to be further improved. The great effect of individual differences on these stains limited the TsD estimation accuracy. Overall, microbial characteristics allow for codetection of body fluid identification and TsD estimation, and body fluids should be identified before estimating TsD in microbiome-based stain analyses.IMPORTANCEEmerged evidences suggest microbial characteristics could be considered a promising tool for identification and time since deposition (TsD) estimation of body fluid stains. However, the two issues should be studied together due to a potential mutual influence. The current study provides the first evidence to understand the mutual influence and determines an optimal process for codetection of identification and TsD estimation for unknown stains for forensics. In addition, we involved aged stains into our study for identification of body fluid stains, rather than only using fresh stains like previous studies. This increased the predictive accuracy. We have preliminary verified that individual differences in microbiotas limited the predictive accuracy of TsD estimation for saliva, semen, and vaginal secretion. Microbial characteristics could provide an accurate TsD estimation for menstrual blood. Our study benefits the comprehensive understanding of microbiome-based stain analyses as an essential addition to previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Daijing Yu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Tian Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Niu Gao
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Linyu Shi
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Yaya Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Yumei Huo
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhimin Ji
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Junli Li
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Xiaomeng Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Liwei Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
| | - Jiangwei Yan
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Jinzhong, Shanxi, China
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Aguadé-Gorgorió G, Arnoldi JF, Barbier M, Kéfi S. A taxonomy of multiple stable states in complex ecological communities. Ecol Lett 2024; 27:e14413. [PMID: 38584579 DOI: 10.1111/ele.14413] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Natural systems are built from multiple interconnected units, making their dynamics, functioning and fragility notoriously hard to predict. A fragility scenario of particular relevance concerns so-called regime shifts: abrupt transitions from healthy to degraded ecosystem states. An explanation for these shifts is that they arise as transitions between alternative stable states, a process that is well-understood in few-species models. However, how multistability upscales with system complexity remains a debated question. Here, we identify that four different multistability regimes generically emerge in models of species-rich communities and other archetypical complex biological systems assuming random interactions. Across the studied models, each regime consistently emerges under a specific interaction scheme and leaves a distinct set of fingerprints in terms of the number of observed states, their species richness and their response to perturbations. Our results help clarify the conditions and types of multistability that can be expected to occur in complex ecological communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-François Arnoldi
- Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling, Theoretical and Experimental Ecology Station, CNRS and Paul Sabatier University, Moulis, France
| | - Matthieu Barbier
- PHIM Plant Health Institute, University of Montpellier, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Sonia Kéfi
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
- France Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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Tsang HF, Cheung YS, Yu CSA, Chan CSS, Wong CBT, Yim KYA, Pei X, Wong SCC. Menstrual Blood as a Diagnostic Specimen for Human Papillomavirus Genotyping and Genital Tract Infection Using Next-Generation Sequencing as a Novel Diagnostic Tool. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:686. [PMID: 38611599 PMCID: PMC11012019 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Menstrual blood (MB) is a convenient specimen type that can be self-collected easily and non-invasively by women. This study assessed the potential application of MB as a diagnostic specimen to detect genital tract infections (GTIs) and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women. METHOD Genomic DNA was extracted from MB samples. Pacific Bioscience (Pacbio) 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) high-fidelity (HiFi) long-read sequencing and HPV PCR were performed. RESULTS MB samples were collected from women with a pathological diagnosis of CIN1, CIN2, CIN3 or HPV infection. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of high-risk HPV detection using MB were found to be 66.7%. A shift in vaginal flora and a significant depletion in Lactobacillus spp. in the vaginal microbiota communities were observed in the MB samples using 16S rDNA sequencing. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we demonstrated that MB is a proper diagnostic specimen of consideration for non-invasive detection of HPV DNA and genotyping using PCR and the diagnosis of GTIs using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). MB testing is suitable for all women who menstruate and this study has opened up the possibility of the use of MB as a diagnostic specimen to maintain women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hin-Fung Tsang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Pathology, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yui-Shing Cheung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Y.-S.C.); (C.-S.S.C.)
| | - Chi-Shing Allen Yu
- Codex Genetics Limited, Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.-S.A.Y.); (C.-B.T.W.); (K.-Y.A.Y.)
| | - Chung-Sum Sammy Chan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China; (Y.-S.C.); (C.-S.S.C.)
| | - Chi-Bun Thomas Wong
- Codex Genetics Limited, Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.-S.A.Y.); (C.-B.T.W.); (K.-Y.A.Y.)
| | - Kay-Yuen Aldrin Yim
- Codex Genetics Limited, Hong Kong SAR, China; (C.-S.A.Y.); (C.-B.T.W.); (K.-Y.A.Y.)
| | - Xiaomeng Pei
- Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Sze-Chuen Cesar Wong
- Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China;
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Maduta CS, McCormick JK, Dufresne K. Vaginal community state types (CSTs) alter environmental cues and production of the Staphylococcus aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). J Bacteriol 2024; 206:e0044723. [PMID: 38334326 PMCID: PMC10955855 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00447-23] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS) is a rare but life-threatening disease associated with the use of high-absorbency tampons. The production of the Staphylococcus aureus toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) superantigen is involved in nearly all cases of mTSS and is tightly controlled by regulators responding to the environment. In the prototypic mTSS strain S. aureus MN8, the major repressor of TSST-1 is the carbon catabolite protein A (CcpA), which responds to glucose concentrations in the vaginal tract. Healthy vaginal Lactobacillus species also depend on glucose for both growth and acidification of the vaginal environment through lactic acid production. We hypothesized that interactions between the vaginal microbiota [herein referred to as community state types (CSTs)] and S. aureus MN8 depend on environmental cues and that these interactions subsequently affect TSST-1 production. Using S. aureus MN8 ΔccpA growing in various glucose concentrations, we demonstrate that the supernatants from different CSTs grown in vaginally defined medium (VDM) could significantly decrease tst expression. When co-culturing CST species with MN8 ∆ccpA, we show that Lactobacillus jensenii completely inhibits TSST-1 production in conditions mimicking healthy menstruation or mTSS. Finally, we show that growing S. aureus in "unhealthy" or "transitional" CST supernatants results in higher interleukin 2 (IL-2) production from T cells. These findings suggest that dysbiotic CSTs may encourage TSST-1 production in the vaginal tract and further indicate that the CSTs are likely important for the protection from mTSS.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we investigate the impact of the vaginal microbiota against Staphylococcus aureus in conditions mimicking the vaginal environment at various stages of the menstrual cycle. We demonstrate that Lactobacillus jensenii can inhibit toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production, suggesting the potential for probiotic activity in treating and preventing menstrual toxic shock syndrome (mTSS). On the other side of the spectrum, "unhealthy" or "transient" bacteria such as Gardnerella vaginalis and Lactobacillus iners support more TSST-1 production by S. aureus, suggesting that community state types are important in the development of mTSS. This study sets forward a model for examining contact-independent interactions between pathogenic bacteria and the vaginal microbiota. It also demonstrates the necessity of replicating the environment when studying one as dynamic as the vagina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla S. Maduta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - John K. McCormick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karine Dufresne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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Chen P, Hu T, Zheng Z, E. Garfield R, Yang J. Characteristics of cervicovaginal microflora at different cervical maturity during late pregnancy: A nested case-control study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300510. [PMID: 38507418 PMCID: PMC10954133 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The mechanism of cervical ripening in late pregnancy is still unclear. The vaginal microbiome has been reported to correlate with the preterm birth and short cervix in pregnant women. However, the associations between the cervical maturity and the vaginal microbiome are still poorly understood. We aim to analyze the cervicovaginal microflora in women with ripe cervix and in those who are unripe when delivering at term. METHODS Cervicovaginal swabs were collected between 40 and 41 weeks of gestation from the following 2 different groups of patients: ripe group (n = 25) and unripe group (n = 25). Samples were tested using 16S ribosomal RNA gene high-throughput sequencing and analyzed by bioinformatics platform. RESULTS This study highlights the relationship between cervical maturity during late pregnancy and the composition of the cervicovaginal microflora. Both α- and β-diversity analyses demonstrated significant differences between women with a ripe cervix and those with an unripe cervix. Notably, the Lactobacillus profile was found to be closely linked to cervical maturity. There was a significant difference in the vaginal community state type, with CST IV being more prevalent in women with an unripe cervix. Furthermore, the association between CST IV and the unripe cervix group, as indicated by the odds ratio of 8.6, underscores its relevance in evaluating cervical maturity, when compared to other Lactobacillus-dominant community state types. Additionally, several bacterial taxa, particularly Lactobacillus, exhibited differential relative abundances between the two groups. CONCLUSION This study provided significant evidence regarding the relationship between the vaginal microbiome and cervical maturity, highlighting the differential diversity, community state types, and specific bacterial taxa, such as Lactobacillus, that are associated with cervical maturation status. These findings contributed to our understanding of the dynamics of the cervicovaginal microflora during late pregnancy and its implications for cervical health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Tingting Hu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory for Cell Fate Regulation and Diseases, GMU-GIBH Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zheng Zheng
- Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Robert E. Garfield
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States of America
| | - Jinying Yang
- Department of Obstetrics, Longgang District Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen City (Longgang Maternity and Child Institute of Shantou University Medical College), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Liu X, Chen X, Wang C, Song J, Xu J, Gao Z, Huang Y, Suo H. Mechanisms of probiotic modulation of ovarian sex hormone production and metabolism: a review. Food Funct 2024; 15:2860-2878. [PMID: 38433710 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo04345b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Sex hormones play a pivotal role in the growth and development of the skeletal, neurological, and reproductive systems. In women, the dysregulation of sex hormones can result in various health complications such as acne, hirsutism, and irregular menstruation. One of the most prevalent diseases associated with excess androgens is polycystic ovary syndrome with a hyperandrogenic phenotype. Probiotics have shown the potential to enhance the secretion of ovarian sex hormones. However, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Furthermore, comprehensive reviews detailing how probiotics modulate ovarian sex hormones are scarce. This review seeks to shed light on the potential mechanisms through which probiotics influence the production of ovarian sex hormones. The role of probiotics across various biological axes, including the gut-ovarian, gut-brain-ovarian, gut-liver-ovarian, gut-pancreas-ovarian, and gut-fat-ovarian axes, with a focus on the direct impact of probiotics on the ovaries via the gut and their effects on brain gonadotropins is discussed. It is also proposed herein that probiotics can significantly influence the onset, progression, and complications of ovarian sex hormone abnormalities. In addition, this review provides a theoretical basis for the therapeutic application of probiotics in managing sex hormone-related health conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Liu
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaoyong Chen
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
- Citrus Research Institute, National Citrus Engineering Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Speciality Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
- Citrus Research Institute, National Citrus Engineering Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Speciality Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Jiajia Song
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
- Citrus Research Institute, National Citrus Engineering Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Speciality Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Zhen Gao
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
| | - Yechuan Huang
- College of Bioengineering, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen 448000, P. R. China.
| | - Huayi Suo
- College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China.
- Citrus Research Institute, National Citrus Engineering Research Center, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Speciality Food Co-Built by Sichuan and Chongqing, Chongqing 400715, P. R. China
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Gao H, Liu Q, Wang X, Li T, Li H, Li G, Tan L, Chen Y. Deciphering the role of female reproductive tract microbiome in reproductive health: a review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1351540. [PMID: 38562966 PMCID: PMC10982509 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1351540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Relevant studies increasingly indicate that female reproductive health is confronted with substantial challenges. Emerging research has revealed that the microbiome interacts with the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, which are the cornerstone of maintaining female reproductive health and preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, the precise mechanisms underlying their interaction and impact on physiological functions of the reproductive tract remain elusive, constituting a prominent area of investigation within the field of female reproductive tract microecology. From this new perspective, we explore the mechanisms of interactions between the microbiome and the anatomy, histology, and immunity of the female reproductive tract, factors that affect the composition of the microbiome in the female reproductive tract, as well as personalized medicine approaches in managing female reproductive tract health based on the microbiome. This study highlights the pivotal role of the female reproductive tract microbiome in maintaining reproductive health and influencing the occurrence of reproductive tract diseases. These findings support the exploration of innovative approaches for the prevention, monitoring and treatment of female reproductive tract diseases based on the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Gao
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Qiao Liu
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Xiaolan Wang
- Center for a Combination of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Huanhuan Li
- Department of Gynaecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Genlin Li
- Center for a Combination of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Lingling Tan
- Nursing Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Yahui Chen
- School of Nursing, University of South China, Hengyang, China
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Vidhate P, Wakchoure P, Borole S, Khan AA. Lactobacillus as probiotics: opportunities and challenges for potential benefits in female reproductive health. Am J Transl Res 2024; 16:720-729. [PMID: 38586104 PMCID: PMC10994795 DOI: 10.62347/igwr5474] [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: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The growing interest of the scientific community in the study of probiotics has gathered valuable data about its beneficial effects for multiple clinical conditions. This data also provides evidence for the functions and properties of probiotics and how they contribute to health benefits by influencing normal microbiota. Lactobacillus is an important genus which has long been utilized in the food industry and is also found as normal oral, intestinal and vaginal microbiota. Lactobacillus has shown multiple health benefits but its relative importance as a probiotic is majorly explored for gastrointestinal health. Healthy vaginal microbiota typically harbors Lactobacillus spp. providing several health benefits for female reproductive health, but there is more data required in order to compare the relative benefits with probiotic Lactobacillus added through either natural food sources or with standard probiotics supplements. The present article discusses the current status of knowledge about vaginal Lactobacillus as a probiotic and also compares the potential of probiotics from natural sources and through supplements along with recent approaches in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Vidhate
- Division of Microbiology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Pooja Wakchoure
- Division of Microbiology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Samiksha Borole
- Division of Microbiology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Abdul Arif Khan
- Division of Microbiology, ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Gonçalves-Nobre JG, Matos A, Carreira M, Santos AC, Veiga LC, Ginete C, Brito M, Pires M, Pereira H, Cardoso C, Bicho M, Bicho MC. The interplay between HPV, other Sexually Transmissible Infections and genital microbiome on cervical microenvironment (MicroCervixHPV study). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1251913. [PMID: 38532749 PMCID: PMC10963500 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1251913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of Cervicovaginal Microbiota in protecting against infections (such as HPV) is already well established, namely through Lactobacillus spp., as well as the mechanism through which HPV leads to Cervical Neoplasia. However, it is not possible to classify HPV as a complete carcinogen. Thus, the importance of exploring Cervicovaginal dysbiosis with the intention of deciphering this interaction with HPV, takes on greater relevance. The main objectives of this study were: 1) Comparison of the MCV composition of women with or without HPV and women with ASCUS or LSIL; 2) Characterization of cytokines present in the vaginal microenvironment; 3) Evaluation of the blood count ratios as prognostic systemic inflammatory biomarkers; 4) Correlation between MCV, HPV serotypes and cytokines. Methods This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study. CVM analysis was performed by isolation RNA and sequencing on a NGS platform. Cytokine concentrations of CVM were obtained through Multiplex platform. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS v 26.0. An α of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Highlighting the core of the study, CVM types of CST I and CST IV were found to influence the emergence of cervical lesions. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratio was found to impact the prognosis of ASCUS. Within CVM, Lactobacillus prevent the growth of other CST IV species, while the latter express symbiotic relationships with each other and show affinity for specific HPV serotypes. At last, RANTES chemokine is significantly elevated in cervicovaginal infections. Conclusion The importance of using vaginal cytokine profiles and CVM is highlighted in the hypothesis of prevention of Cervical Neoplasia development, as well as in its use as a prognostic biomarker. Taken together, these insights are one step closer to personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Guilherme Gonçalves-Nobre
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IMPSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- PTSurg – Portuguese Surgical Research Collaborative, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Andreia Matos
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IMPSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal
- Tumour & Microenvironment Interactions Group i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS – Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade de Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mariana Carreira
- Amedes MVZ Müenchen GmbH fier Gynaekologie und Pathologie, Munich, Germany
| | - Ana Carolina Santos
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IMPSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luisa Carvalho Veiga
- Health and Technology Research Center, Escola superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Ginete
- Health and Technology Research Center, Escola superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Brito
- Health and Technology Research Center, Escola superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marina Pires
- Joaquim Chaves Saúde, Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - Hermínia Pereira
- Joaquim Chaves Saúde, Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - Carlos Cardoso
- Joaquim Chaves Saúde, Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - Manuel Bicho
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IMPSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria Clara Bicho
- Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (IMPSP), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral, Lisboa, Portugal
- Joaquim Chaves Saúde, Laboratório de Análises Clínicas, Carnaxide, Portugal
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Ponciano JM, Gómez JP, Ravel J, Forney LJ. Inferring stability and persistence in the vaginal microbiome: A stochastic model of ecological dynamics. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.02.581600. [PMID: 38464272 PMCID: PMC10925280 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.02.581600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The interplay of stochastic and ecological processes that govern the establishment and persistence of host-associated microbial communities is not well understood. Here we illustrate the conceptual and practical advantages of fitting stochastic population dynamics models to multi-species bacterial time series data. We show how the stability properties, fluctuation regimes and persistence probabilities of human vaginal microbial communities can be better understood by explicitly accommodating three sources of variability in ecological stochastic models of multi-species abundances: 1) stochastic biotic and abiotic forces, 2) ecological feedback and 3) sampling error. Rooting our modeling tool in stochastic population dynamics modeling theory was key to apply standardized measures of a community's reaction to environmental variation that ultimately depends on the nature and intensity of the intra-specific and inter-specific interaction strengths. Using estimates of model parameters, we developed a Risk Prediction Monitoring (RPM) tool that estimates temporal changes in persistence probabilities for any bacterial group of interest. This method mirrors approaches that are often used in conservation biology in which a measure of extinction risks is periodically updated with any change in a population or community. Additionally, we show how to use estimates of interaction strengths and persistence probabilities to formulate hypotheses regarding the molecular mechanisms and genetic composition that underpin different types of interactions. Instead of seeking a definition of "dysbiosis" we propose to translate concepts of theoretical ecology and conservation biology methods into practical approaches for the management of human-associated bacterial communities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan P. Gómez
- Departamento de Química y Biología, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Institute for Genome Sciences and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Larry J. Forney
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Science and Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID
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45
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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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46
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Wu Y, Liu P, Liao Q, Jin T, Wu Z, Guomin W, Wang H, Chu PK. Cotton Fibers with a Lactic Acid-Like Surface for Re-establishment of Protective Lactobacillus Microbiota by Selectively Inhibiting Vaginal Pathogens. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2302736. [PMID: 38061349 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302736] [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: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Failure to reconstruct the Lactobacillus microbiota is the major reason for the recurrence of vaginal infection. However, most empiric therapies focus on the efficacy of pathogen elimination but do not sufficiently consider the viability of Lactobacillus. Herein, cotton fibers with a lactic acid-like surface (LC) are fabricated by NaIO4 oxidation and L-isoserine grafting. The lactic acid analog chain ends and imine structure of LC can penetrate cell walls to cause protein cleavage in Escherichia coli and Candida albicans and inhibit vaginal pathogens. Meanwhile, the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus is unaffected by the LC treatment, thus revealing a selective way to suppress pathogens as well as provide a positive route to re-establish protective microbiota in the vaginal tract. Moreover, LC has excellent properties such as good biosafety, antiadhesion, water absorption, and weight retention. The strategy proposed here not only is practical, but also provides insights into the treatment of vaginal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzheng Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Qing Liao
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology and CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Tao Jin
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology and CAS Key Laboratory of Geospace Environment, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
| | - Zhengwei Wu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Wang Guomin
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
- Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Paul K Chu
- Department of Physics, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 999077, China
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47
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Marquis KA, Merenstein C, Bushman FD. 2-Hydroxyisovalerate Is Produced During Bacterial Vaginosis and Boosts HIV Infection in Resting T Cells. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2024; 40:158-170. [PMID: 37548528 PMCID: PMC10924192 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2022.0171] [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] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the ensuing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) disproportionally affect young women, yet understanding of the factors promoting heterosexual transmission in the female genital tract is limited. Colonization with highly diverse, Lactobacillus-deficient communities (HDCs) increases a woman's risk of acquiring HIV-1 compared with colonization with Lactobacillus-dominated low diversity communities (LDCs). The polymicrobial nature of these communities has made it challenging to elucidate the microbial mechanisms responsible for modulating HIV susceptibility. Here, we analyzed conserved changes in small-molecule metabolites present in the cervicovaginal lavage fluid collected from women colonized with HDCs and LDCs with the goal of identifying possible chemicals influencing HIV infection. As in previous studies, we found that the catabolite of the branched-chain amino acid valine, 2-hydroxyisovalerate (2-HV), was a consistent component of dysbiotic HDC microbiota. Effects of 2-HV on HIV infection were assessed. In experimental infections with HIV, treatment with 2-HV increased infections of resting CD4+ T cells. To understand bacterial production of 2-HV in more detail, we cultured purified HDC and LDC bacteria and used mass spectrometry to identify two HDC bacteria that synthesize high levels of 2-HV. In contrast, protective vaginal Lactobacilli did not produce high levels of 2-HV. A genomic analysis of genes encoding 2-HV synthetic pathways showed a correlation between high-level production of 2-HV and pathways for synthesis of the immediate precursor 2-ketoisovalerate. Thus, 2-HV is a candidate mediator linking vaginal microbiome structure and heterosexual HIV transmission in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin A. Marquis
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Carter Merenstein
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Frederic D. Bushman
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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48
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Cocomazzi G, Del Pup L, Contu V, Maggio G, Parmegiani L, Ciampaglia W, De Ruvo D, Faioli R, Maglione A, Baldini GM, Baldini D, Pazienza V. Gynecological Cancers and Microbiota Dynamics: Insights into Pathogenesis and Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2237. [PMID: 38396914 PMCID: PMC10889201 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042237] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the relationship between the microbiota and various aspects of health has become a focal point of scientific investigation. Although the most studied microbiota concern the gastrointestinal tract, recently, the interest has also been extended to other body districts. Female genital tract dysbiosis and its possible impact on pathologies such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and gynecological cancers have been unveiled. The incursion of pathogenic microbes alters the ecological equilibrium of the vagina, triggering inflammation and compromising immune defense, potentially fostering an environment conducive to cancer development. The most common types of gynecological cancer include cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, which occur in women of any age but especially in postmenopausal women. Several studies highlighted that a low presence of lactobacilli at the vaginal level, and consequently, in related areas (such as the endometrium and ovary), correlates with a higher risk of gynecological pathology and likely contributes to increased incidence and worse prognosis of gynecological cancers. The complex interplay between microbial communities and the development, progression, and treatment of gynecologic malignancies is a burgeoning field not yet fully understood. The intricate crosstalk between the gut microbiota and systemic inflammation introduces a new dimension to our understanding of gynecologic cancers. The objective of this review is to focus attention on the association between vaginal microbiota and gynecological malignancies and provide detailed knowledge for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Cocomazzi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy;
| | - Lino Del Pup
- Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility, University Sanitary Agency Friuli Central (ASUFC), Via Pozzuolo, 330, 33100 Udine, FVG, Italy;
| | - Viviana Contu
- Integrative Medicine Unit, Humanitas Gradenigo, Corso Regina Margherita 8/10, 10153 Torino, FC, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Maggio
- Pia Fondazione Cardinale Giovanni Panico, Via S. Pio X, 4, 73039 Tricase, LE, Italy;
| | - Lodovico Parmegiani
- Next Fertility GynePro, NextClinics International Via T. Cremona 8, 40137 Bologna, RE, Italy; (L.P.); (W.C.)
| | - Walter Ciampaglia
- Next Fertility GynePro, NextClinics International Via T. Cremona 8, 40137 Bologna, RE, Italy; (L.P.); (W.C.)
| | - Daniele De Ruvo
- Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine Affidea Promea, Via Menabrea 14, 10126 Torino, TO, Italy;
| | - Raffaele Faioli
- Gynecology and Obstetrics, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy; (R.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Annamaria Maglione
- Gynecology and Obstetrics, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy; (R.F.); (A.M.)
| | - Giorgio Maria Baldini
- IVF Center, Momò Fertilife, 76011 Bisceglie Via Cala dell’Arciprete, 76011 Bisceglie, BT, Italy; (G.M.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Domenico Baldini
- IVF Center, Momò Fertilife, 76011 Bisceglie Via Cala dell’Arciprete, 76011 Bisceglie, BT, Italy; (G.M.B.); (D.B.)
| | - Valerio Pazienza
- Division of Gastroenterology, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy;
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49
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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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50
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Long C, Deng J, Nguyen J, Liu YY, Alm EJ, Solé R, Saavedra S. Structured community transitions explain the switching capacity of microbial systems. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312521121. [PMID: 38285940 PMCID: PMC10861894 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312521121] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial systems appear to exhibit a relatively high switching capacity of moving back and forth among few dominant communities (taxon memberships). While this switching behavior has been mainly attributed to random environmental factors, it remains unclear the extent to which internal community dynamics affect the switching capacity of microbial systems. Here, we integrate ecological theory and empirical data to demonstrate that structured community transitions increase the dependency of future communities on the current taxon membership, enhancing the switching capacity of microbial systems. Following a structuralist approach, we propose that each community is feasible within a unique domain in environmental parameter space. Then, structured transitions between any two communities can happen with probability proportional to the size of their feasibility domains and inversely proportional to their distance in environmental parameter space-which can be treated as a special case of the gravity model. We detect two broad classes of systems with structured transitions: one class where switching capacity is high across a wide range of community sizes and another class where switching capacity is high only inside a narrow size range. We corroborate our theory using temporal data of gut and oral microbiota (belonging to class 1) as well as vaginal and ocean microbiota (belonging to class 2). These results reveal that the topology of feasibility domains in environmental parameter space is a relevant property to understand the changing behavior of microbial systems. This knowledge can be potentially used to understand the relevant community size at which internal dynamics can be operating in microbial systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengyi Long
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Jie Deng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Jen Nguyen
- Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Yang-Yu Liu
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- Center for Artificial Intelligence and Modeling, The Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL61801
| | - Eric J. Alm
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Center for Microbiome Informatics and Therapeutics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA02139
| | - Ricard Solé
- Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona08003, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona08010, Spain
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)-Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona08003, Spain
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM87501
| | - Serguei Saavedra
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona08010, Spain
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM87501
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