scholarly journals Role of sex hormones and the vaginal microbiome in susceptibility and mucosal immunity to HIV-1 in the female genital tract

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Vitali ◽  
Jocelyn M. Wessels ◽  
Charu Kaushic
Keyword(s):  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Female Genital

scholarly journals Protective Effect of Probiotic Bacteria and Estrogen in Preventing HIV-1-Mediated Impairment of Epithelial Barrier Integrity in Female Genital Tract

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Dizzell ◽  
Aisha Nazli ◽  
Gregor Reid ◽  
Charu Kaushic
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Probiotic Lactobacilli ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Female Genital

Approximately 40% of global HIV-1 transmission occurs in the female genital tract (FGT) through heterosexual transmission. Epithelial cells lining the FGT provide the first barrier to HIV-1 entry. Previous studies have suggested that certain hormonal contraceptives or a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota can enhance HIV-1 acquisition in the FGT. We examined the effects of lactobacilli and female sex hormones on the barrier functions and innate immune responses of primary endometrial genital epithelial cells (GECs). Two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and L. rhamnosus GR-1, were tested, as were sex hormones estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), and the hormonal contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Our results demonstrate that probiotic lactobacilli enhance barrier function without affecting cytokines. Treatment of GECs with MPA resulted in reduced barrier function. In contrast, E2 treatment enhanced barrier function and reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines. Comparison of hormones plus lactobacilli as a pre-treatment prior to HIV exposure revealed a dominant effect of lactobacilli in preventing loss of barrier function by GECs. In summary, the combination of E2 and lactobacilli had the best protective effect against HIV-1 seen by enhancement of barrier function and reduction in proinflammatory cytokines. These studies provide insights into how probiotic lactobacilli in the female genital microenvironment can alter HIV-1-mediated barrier disruption and how the combination of E2 and lactobacilli may decrease susceptibility to primary HIV infection.

scholarly journals Selenium Deficiency Is Associated With Shedding of HIV-1–Infected Cells in the Female Genital Tract

2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 360-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jared M. Baeten ◽  
Sara B. Mostad ◽  
Martin P. Hughes ◽  
Julie Overbaugh ◽  
Daniel D. Bankson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Selenium Deficiency ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Hiv 1 ◽  
Female Genital

Evidence for cGAS-STING signaling in the female genital tract resistance to Chlamydia trachomatis infection

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Su ◽  
Hong Xu ◽  
Maegan French ◽  
Yujie Zhao ◽  
Lingli Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Innate Immunity ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Lower Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital

Sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis can ascend to the upper genital tract due to its resistance to innate immunity in the lower genital tract. C. trachomatis can activate cGAS-STING signaling pathway in cultured cells via either cGAS or STING. The current study was designed to evaluate the role of the cGAS-STING pathway in innate immunity against C. trachomatis in the mouse genital tract. Following intravaginal inoculation, C. trachomatis significantly declined by day 5 following a peak infection on day 3 while the mouse-adapted C. muridarum continued to rise for >1 week, indicating that C. trachomatis is susceptible to the innate immunity in the female mouse genital tract. This conclusion was supported by the observation of a similar shedding course in mice deficient in adaptive immunity. Thus, C. trachomatis can be used to evaluate innate immunity in the female genital tract. It was found that mice deficient in either cGAS or STING significantly increased the yields of live C. trachomatis on day 5, indicating an essential role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in innate immunity of the mouse genital tract. Comparison of live C. trachomatis recovered from different genital tissues revealed that the cGAS-STING-dependent immunity against C. trachomatis was restricted to the mouse lower genital tract regardless of whether C. trachomatis was inoculated intravaginally or transcervically. Thus, we have demonstrated an essential role of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in innate immunity against chlamydial infection, laying a foundation for further illuminating the mechanisms of the innate immunity in the female lower genital tract.

scholarly journals Microbiome and Cervical Cancer

Pathobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Cristina Paula Castanheira ◽  
Mayara Luciana Sallas ◽  
Rafaella Almeida Lima Nunes ◽  
Noely Paula Cristina Lorenzi ◽  
Lara Termini
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Vaginal Microbiome ◽  
Associated Lesions ◽  
Cervical Disease ◽  
Female Genital

Persistent infection with some types of mucosal human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological factor for the development of cervical cancer and its precursor lesions. Besides, several cofactors are known to play a role in cervical disease onset and progression either by favoring or by preventing HPV infection and persistence. The microbiome of a healthy female genital tract is characterized by the presence of 1 or few varieties of lactobacilli. However, high-throughput studies addressing the bacterial diversity and abundance in the female genital tract have shown that several factors, including hormonal levels, hygiene habits, and sexually transmitted diseases may disrupt the natural balance, favoring the outgrowth of some groups of bacteria, which in turn may favor some pathological states. Recently, the vaginal microbiome has emerged as a new variable that could greatly influence the natural history of HPV infections and their clinical impact. In this context, changes in the vaginal microbiome have been detected in women infected with HPV and women with HPV-associated lesions and cancer. However, the role of specific bacteria groups in the development/progression or prevention/regression of HPV-associated pathologies is not well understood. In this review we summarize the current knowledge concerning changes in vaginal microbiome and cervical disease. We discuss the potential functional interplay between specific bacterial groups and HPV infection outcomes.

scholarly journals A Randomized Trial to Assess Anti-HIV Activity in Female Genital Tract Secretions and Soluble Mucosal Immunity Following Application of 1% Tenofovir Gel

PLoS ONE ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e16475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marla J. Keller ◽  
Rebecca P. Madan ◽  
N. Merna Torres ◽  
Melissa J. Fazzari ◽  
Sylvia Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Female Genital Tract ◽  
Tenofovir Gel ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Female Genital
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document