1
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Zhu M, Frank MW, Radka CD, Jeanfavre S, Xu J, Tse MW, Pacheco JA, Kim JS, Pierce K, Deik A, Hussain FA, Elsherbini J, Hussain S, Xulu N, Khan N, Pillay V, Mitchell CM, Dong KL, Ndung'u T, Clish CB, Rock CO, Blainey PC, Bloom SM, Kwon DS. Vaginal Lactobacillus fatty acid response mechanisms reveal a metabolite-targeted strategy for bacterial vaginosis treatment. Cell 2024:S0092-8674(24)00823-7. [PMID: 39163861 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.07.029] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common syndrome characterized by Lactobacillus-deficient vaginal microbiota, is associated with adverse health outcomes. BV often recurs after standard antibiotic therapy in part because antibiotics promote microbiota dominance by Lactobacillus iners instead of Lactobacillus crispatus, which has more beneficial health associations. Strategies to promote L. crispatus and inhibit L. iners are thus needed. We show that oleic acid (OA) and similar long-chain fatty acids simultaneously inhibit L. iners and enhance L. crispatus growth. These phenotypes require OA-inducible genes conserved in L. crispatus and related lactobacilli, including an oleate hydratase (ohyA) and putative fatty acid efflux pump (farE). FarE mediates OA resistance, while OhyA is robustly active in the vaginal microbiota and enhances bacterial fitness by biochemically sequestering OA in a derivative form only ohyA-harboring organisms can exploit. OA promotes L. crispatus dominance more effectively than antibiotics in an in vitro BV model, suggesting a metabolite-based treatment approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Zhu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew W Frank
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Christopher D Radka
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | - Jiawu Xu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Megan W Tse
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jae Sun Kim
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kerry Pierce
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy Deik
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fatima Aysha Hussain
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Salina Hussain
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nondumiso Xulu
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nasreen Khan
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Caroline M Mitchell
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Krista L Dong
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Health Systems Trust, Durban, South Africa; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thumbi Ndung'u
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; HIV Pathogenesis Programme, The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa; Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Clary B Clish
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Charles O Rock
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Paul C Blainey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Seth M Bloom
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Douglas S Kwon
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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2
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Morselli S, Ceccarani C, Djusse ME, Laghi L, Camboni T, Consolandi C, Foschi C, Severgnini M, Marangoni A. Anti-chlamydial activity of vaginal fluids: new evidence from an in vitro model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1403782. [PMID: 38912205 PMCID: PMC11193362 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1403782] [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: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction We assessed the in vitro anti-chlamydial activity of fresh vaginal secretions, deciphering the microbial and metabolic components able to counteract Chlamydia trachomatis viability. Methods Forty vaginal samples were collected from a group of reproductive-aged women and their anti-chlamydial activity was evaluated by inhibition experiments. Each sample underwent 16S rRNA metabarcoding sequencing to determine the bacterial composition, as well as 1H-NMR spectroscopy to detect and quantify the presence of vaginal metabolites. Results Samples characterized by a high anti-chlamydial activity were enriched in Lactobacillus, especially Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners, while not-active samples exhibited a significant reduction of lactobacilli, along with higher relative abundances of Streptococcus and Olegusella. Lactobacillus gasseri showed an opposite behavior compared to L. crispatus, being more prevalent in not-active vaginal samples. Higher concentrations of several amino acids (i.e., isoleucine, leucine, and aspartate; positively correlated to the abundance of L. crispatus and L. jensenii) lactate, and 4-aminobutyrate were the most significant metabolic fingerprints of highly active samples. Acetate and formate concentrations, on the other hand, were related to the abundances of a group of anaerobic opportunistic bacteria (including Prevotella, Dialister, Olegusella, Peptostreptococcus, Peptoniphilus, Finegoldia and Anaerococcus). Finally, glucose, correlated to Streptococcus, Lachnospira and Alloscardovia genera, emerged as a key molecule of the vaginal environment: indeed, the anti-chlamydial effect of vaginal fluids decreased as glucose concentrations increased. Discussion These findings could pave the way for novel strategies in the prevention and treatment of chlamydial urogenital infections, such as lactobacilli probiotic formulations or lactobacilli-derived postbiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Morselli
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Ceccarani
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center S.c.a.r.l., Palermo, Italy
| | - Marielle Ezekielle Djusse
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Laghi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Tania Camboni
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy
| | - Clarissa Consolandi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center S.c.a.r.l., Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Foschi
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Severgnini
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Segrate, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center S.c.a.r.l., Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Marangoni
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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3
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Zhu M, Frank MW, Radka CD, Jeanfavre S, Tse MW, Pacheco JA, Pierce K, Deik A, Xu J, Hussain S, Hussain FA, Xulu N, Khan N, Pillay V, Dong KL, Ndung’u T, Clish CB, Rock CO, Blainey PC, Bloom SM, Kwon DS. Vaginal Lactobacillus fatty acid response mechanisms reveal a novel strategy for bacterial vaginosis treatment. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.30.573720. [PMID: 38234804 PMCID: PMC10793477 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.30.573720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common syndrome characterized by Lactobacillus-deficient vaginal microbiota, is associated with adverse health outcomes. BV often recurs after standard antibiotic therapy in part because antibiotics promote microbiota dominance by Lactobacillus iners instead of Lactobacillus crispatus, which has more beneficial health associations. Strategies to promote L. crispatus and inhibit L. iners are thus needed. We show that oleic acid (OA) and similar long-chain fatty acids simultaneously inhibit L. iners and enhance L. crispatus growth. These phenotypes require OA-inducible genes conserved in L. crispatus and related species, including an oleate hydratase (ohyA) and putative fatty acid efflux pump (farE). FarE mediates OA resistance, while OhyA is robustly active in the human vaginal microbiota and sequesters OA in a derivative form that only ohyA-harboring organisms can exploit. Finally, OA promotes L. crispatus dominance more effectively than antibiotics in an in vitro model of BV, suggesting a novel approach for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meilin Zhu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew W. Frank
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christopher D. Radka
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky
| | | | - Megan W. Tse
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kerry Pierce
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amy Deik
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiawu Xu
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Salina Hussain
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Fatima Aysha Hussain
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nondumiso Xulu
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Nasreen Khan
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Krista L. Dong
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Health Systems Trust, Durban, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thumbi Ndung’u
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP), The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), Durban, South Africa
- Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin, Germany
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Charles O. Rock
- Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- passed away on September 22, 2023
| | - Paul C. Blainey
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Seth M. Bloom
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas S. Kwon
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Lebeer S, Ahannach S, Gehrmann T, Wittouck S, Eilers T, Oerlemans E, Condori S, Dillen J, Spacova I, Vander Donck L, Masquillier C, Allonsius CN, Bron PA, Van Beeck W, De Backer C, Donders G, Verhoeven V. A citizen-science-enabled catalogue of the vaginal microbiome and associated factors. Nat Microbiol 2023; 8:2183-2195. [PMID: 37884815 PMCID: PMC10627828 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01500-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the composition and function of the vaginal microbiome is crucial for reproductive and overall health. Here we established the Isala citizen-science project to analyse the vaginal microbiomes of 3,345 women in Belgium (18-98 years) through self-sampling, 16S amplicon sequencing and extensive questionnaires. The overall vaginal microbiome composition was strongly tied to age, childbirth and menstrual cycle phase. Lactobacillus species dominated 78% of the vaginal samples. Specific bacterial taxa also showed to co-occur in modules based on network correlation analysis. Notably, the module containing Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus jensenii and Limosilactobacillus taxa was positively linked to oestrogen levels and contraceptive use and negatively linked to childbirth and breastfeeding. Other modules, named after abundant taxa (Gardnerella, Prevotella and Bacteroides), correlated with multiple partners, menopause, menstrual hygiene and contraceptive use. With this resource-rich vaginal microbiome map and associated health, life-course, lifestyle and dietary factors, we provide unique data and insights for follow-up clinical and mechanistic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lebeer
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sarah Ahannach
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thies Gehrmann
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Stijn Wittouck
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Eilers
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eline Oerlemans
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sandra Condori
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jelle Dillen
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irina Spacova
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Leonore Vander Donck
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Caroline Masquillier
- Department of Sociology, Center for Population, Family and Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Camille Nina Allonsius
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter A Bron
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wannes Van Beeck
- Department of Bioscience Engineering, Research Group Environmental Ecology and Applied Microbiology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Gilbert Donders
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
- Regional Hospital Heilig Hart, Tienen, Belgium
- Femicare Clinical Research for Women, Tienen, Belgium
| | - Veronique Verhoeven
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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5
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Zhou R, Lu J, Wang J, Xiao B. Vaginal Lactobacillus iners abundance is associated with outcome in antibiotic treatment of bacterial vaginosis and capable of inhibiting Gardnerella. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:1033431. [PMID: 36483454 PMCID: PMC9723143 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.1033431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial vaginosis is characterized as a polymicrobial dysbiosis with the loss of Lactobacillus spp. and growth of multiple anerobic bacteria, including Gardnerella, Prevotella and Atopobium ranked as the top three most abundant. A total of nine Gardnerella genomospecies have been identified, yet the association between their distribution or any exact Lactobacillus species with BV occurrence or prognosis remains controversial. A total of 308 patients and 62 healthy women who sought annual examinations were recruited, with 130 BV patients and 41 healthy women who met our inclusion criteria finally included. Vaginal samples were used for microscopic examination, 16S rRNA sequencing, bacterial culture and isolation. Isolates of Gardnerella vaginalis, Fannyhessae vaginae (used to be called Atopobium vaginae) and Lactobacillus iners were used for competition tests. We found that the relative abundances of Gardnerella, Prevotella and Atopobium were elevated in BV patients compared to healthy people (p<0.0001), yet no significant differences were found among patients with different clinical outcomes (p>0.05). Seven out of nine Gardnerella genomospecies were present in both BV patients and healthy women, and the relative abundances of all detected genomospecies were higher in BV patients (p<0.05). Cured patients possessed higher GS03 than intermediate and failed patients (p=0.005, 0.0337). L. iners was significantly higher in cured patients than in the other two groups (p=0.0021, p<0.0001), and its ability to inhibit the growth of G. vaginalis and F. vaginae was validated. In summary, seven Gardnerella genomospecies were detected in Chinese BV patients, but no association of its distribution and BV occurrence or prognosis was found. The relative abundance of L. iners was higher in cured patients, and its antimicrobial activity against G. vaginalis and F. vaginae was validated through in vitro inhibition experiment. L. iners could become a predictive indicator of clinical outcomes of BV patients, and its antimicrobial function might be beneficial to BV patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingjing Lu
- Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Chinese Academy of Science (CAS) Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Wang, ; Bingbing Xiao,
| | - Bingbing Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China,*Correspondence: Jun Wang, ; Bingbing Xiao,
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6
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Complete Genome Sequences of Ezakiella coagulans C0061C1 and Fenollaria massiliensis C0061C2. Microbiol Resour Announc 2022; 11:e0044422. [PMID: 35861554 PMCID: PMC9302094 DOI: 10.1128/mra.00444-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Ezakiella coagulans and Fenollaria massiliensis are two obligate anaerobic bacteria in the family Peptoniphilaceae and are both uncommon members of the human vaginal microbiota. We isolated a strain of each bacterium from the same vaginal swab specimen and here report the first complete genome sequences of the two species.
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7
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Venneri MA, Franceschini E, Sciarra F, Rosato E, D'Ettorre G, Lenzi A. Human genital tracts microbiota: dysbiosis crucial for infertility. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1151-1160. [PMID: 35113404 PMCID: PMC9098539 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01752-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Human body is colonized by trillions of microbes, influenced by several factors, both endogenous, as hormones and circadian regulation, and exogenous as, life-style habits and nutrition. The alteration of such factors can lead to microbial dysbiosis, a phenomenon which, in turn, represents a risk factor in many different pathologies including cancer, diabetes, autoimmune and cardiovascular disease, and infertility. Female microbiota dysbiosis (vaginal, endometrial, placental) and male microbiota dysbiosis (seminal fluid) can influence the fertility, determining a detrimental impact on various conditions, as pre-term birth, neonatal illnesses, and macroscopic sperm parameters impairments. Furthermore, unprotected sexual intercourse creates a bacterial exchange between partners, and, in addition, each partner can influence the microbiota composition of partner's reproductive tracts. This comprehensive overview of the effects of bacterial dysbiosis in both sexes and how partners might influence each other will allow for better personalization of infertility management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Venneri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - E Franceschini
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - F Sciarra
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - E Rosato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G D'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - A Lenzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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8
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Kaul R, Liu CM, Park DE, Galiwango RM, Tobian AAR, Prodger JL. The Penis, the Vagina and HIV Risk: Key Differences (Aside from the Obvious). Viruses 2022; 14:v14061164. [PMID: 35746636 PMCID: PMC9227947 DOI: 10.3390/v14061164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, most Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV) transmission occurs through vaginal–penile sex (heterosexual transmission). The local immune environment at the site of HIV exposure is an important determinant of whether exposure during sex will lead to productive infection, and the vaginal and penile immune milieus are each critically shaped by the local microbiome. However, there are key differences in the microbial drivers of inflammation and immune quiescence at these tissue sites. In both, a high abundance of anaerobic taxa (e.g., Prevotella) is associated with an increased local density of HIV target cells and an increased risk of acquiring HIV through sex. However, the taxa that have been associated to date with increased risk in the vagina and penis are not identical. Just as importantly, the microbiota associated with comparatively less inflammation and HIV risk—i.e., the optimal microbiota—are very different at the two sites. In the vagina, Lactobacillus spp. are immunoregulatory and may protect against HIV acquisition, whereas on the penis, “skin type” flora such as Corynebacterium are associated with reduced inflammation. Compared to its vaginal counterpart, much less is known about the dynamics of the penile microbiome, the ability of clinical interventions to alter the penile microbiome, or the impact of natural/induced microbiome alterations on penile immunology and HIV risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupert Kaul
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Cindy M. Liu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (C.M.L.); (D.E.P.)
| | - Daniel E. Park
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (C.M.L.); (D.E.P.)
| | | | - Aaron A. R. Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Jessica L. Prodger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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9
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Sanozky-Dawes R, Barrangou R. Lactobacillus, glycans and drivers of health in the vaginal microbiome. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2022; 1:18. [PMID: 38046360 PMCID: PMC10688826 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2022.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
A microbiome consists of microbes and their genomes, encompassing bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, archaea, and eukaryotes. These elements interact dynamically in the specific environment in which they reside and evolve. In the past decade, studies of various microbiomes have been prevalent in the scientific literature, accounting for the shift from culture-dependent to culture-independent identification of microbes using new high-throughput sequencing technologies that decipher their composition and sometimes provide insights into their functions. Despite tremendous advances in understanding the gut microbiome, relatively little attention has been devoted to the vaginal environment, notably regarding the ubiquity and diversity of glycans which denote the significant role they play in the maintenance of homeostasis. Hopefully, emerging technologies will aid in the determination of what is a healthy vaginal microbiome, and provide insights into the roles of Lactobacillus, glycans and microbiome-related drivers of health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodolphe Barrangou
- Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
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10
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Novak J, Ravel J, Ma B, Ferreira CST, Tristão ADR, Silva MG, Marconi C. Characteristics associated with Lactobacillus iners-dominated vaginal microbiota. Sex Transm Infect 2021; 98:353-359. [PMID: 34497114 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The protective role of Lactobacillus iners in the vaginal microbiota has been questioned. Recent studies have shown that L. iners is the dominating taxon in a large subset of women worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, behavioural and clinical variables associated with L. iners-dominated community state type (CST) III in Brazilian women of reproductive age. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS This study leveraged microbiota compositional data generated by sequencing of the V3-V4 16S rRNA gene from vaginal samples collected from 442 participants enrolled in a previous cross-sectional study that included 609 women in five geographical regions of Brazil. A total of 167 (27.4%) participants were excluded from the current study as they did not present a Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota. Data on sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics of the study population were obtained through face-to-face interviews. Participants were assigned to two study groups: those with L. iners-dominated CST III (n=222) and those with three distinct CSTs (I, II or V) dominated by another Lactobacillus spp. (n=220). Logistic regression analysis using a stepwise method was performed to test association between CST III and participants' characteristics, considering their OR and 95% CIs. RESULTS Among the population characteristics assessed, L. iners-dominated CST III was independently associated with having two or more sexual partners (OR 3.27; 95% CI 1.50 to 7.11) and microscopic detection of Candida sp. on vaginal smears (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.02 to 4.89). Other characteristics were inversely associated with CST III, including condom use (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.38 to 0.91), higher educational level (OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.41 to 0.91) and diet containing milk/dairy intake (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.90). CONCLUSION Unprotected sex practices, number of sexual partners and lower educational levels may be useful for identifying women with L. iners-dominated microbiota and its suboptimal protective properties. L. iners microbiota does not seem to provide optimal protection against Candida sp. colonisation, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliano Novak
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jacques Ravel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bing Ma
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Andrea da Rocha Tristão
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcia Guimaraes Silva
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Marconi
- Department of Pathology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Basic Pathology, Federal University of Parana, Curitiba, Brazil
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Is Lactobacillus Gram-Positive? A Case Study of Lactobacillus iners. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8070969. [PMID: 32610432 PMCID: PMC7409198 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8070969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactobacillus iners is the most prevalent bacterial species in the human vaginal microbiome, and there have been few reports of its Gram-negative stain appearances despite the fact that the genus Lactobacillus is universally described as Gram-positive. Here, using transmission electron microscopy, we reveal that the thinness of the cell wall (17.39 ± 0.8 nm) gives the Gram-negative stain appearance, which can lead to over-diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Moreover, comparative genome analysis identified four genes commonly absent in L.iners genomes that might contribute to this phenotypic difference. We suggest that, along with the several niche-specific attributes identified, this unique feature may contribute to the species’ distinguished capability to thrive as the predominant species in the fluctuating vaginal environment as well.
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