Antimicrobial peptides in the pathogenesis of infectious complications in obstetrics and gynecology

2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olesya Nikolaevna Ivashova ◽  
Olga Petrovna Lebedeva ◽  
Sergey Petrovich Pakhomov ◽  
Natal’ya Alexandrovna Rudyh ◽  
Marina Sergeevna Seliverstova
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Cationic Peptides ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Angiogenic Effect

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP) are cationic peptides of innate immune system with antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozoal activity. AMP act as immunomodulators, promote bacterial opsonization, inhibit proteases activity, have anti-endotoxic and angiogenic effect. The review describes main types of AMPs, features of their expression in female reproductive tract depending from menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Data about the role of AMPs in defending from sexually transmitted infections (HIV, genital herpes, HPV, gonorrhea), in pathogenesis of extrauterine pregnancy and preterm birth are described. Possibility of practical application of AMPs as alternative to antibiotics and as contraceptives is estimated.

scholarly journals T Cells in the Female Reproductive Tract Can Both Block and Facilitate HIV Transmission

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Miller ◽  
Ronald S. Veazey
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Central Importance ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Anti Hiv

Because HIV is sexually transmitted, there is considerable interest in defining the nature of anti-HIV immunity in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and in developing ways to elicit antiviral immunity in the FRT through vaccination. Although it is assumed that the mucosal immune system of the FRT is of central importance for protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, this arm of the immune system has only recently been studied. Here, we provide a brief review of the role of T cells in the FRT in blocking and facilitating HIV transmission.

Role of Sex Hormones in Regulating Innate Immune Protection against HIV in the Human Female Reproductive Tract

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101
Author(s):  
Mickey V. Patel ◽  
Marta Rodríguez-García ◽  
Charles R. Wira
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Immune Protection ◽  
Stromal Fibroblasts ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Adaptive Immune Cells

Immune protection in the female reproductive tract (FRT) has evolved to meet the challenges of sexually transmitted bacterial and viral pathogens, allogeneic spermatozoa, and an immunologically distinct semi-allogeneic fetus. Throughout the FRT, the innate immune system is essential for the recognition and initial response to incoming pathogens. Key mediators of innate immune protection examined in this review include epithelial cells, stromal fibroblasts, macrophages, DC, and neutrophils from the Fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix and vagina. These innate immune cells respond to pathogens resulting in the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, antimicrobials, and production of intracellular proteins that protect, activate and recruit both innate and adaptive immune cells. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can occur throughout the FRT, including the ovary, and is modulated by multiple factors including age of the individual, epithelial barrier integrity, composition of the vaginal microbiome, and hormonal status. Alterations in immune function due to hormonal changes that optimize conditions for successful fertilization create a hypothesized “window of vulnerability” that lasts from ovulation into the secretory stage of the menstrual cycle. The goal of this review is to summarize the multiple levels of protection against HIV infection in the FRT and thereby providing a foundation for the design of vaccines for protection against sexually-transmitted infections (STI) including HIV.

scholarly journals Epididymal antimicrobial peptides: the role in sperm function (review)

2021 ◽  
pp. 4-12
Author(s):  
П.А. Шабанов ◽  
О.В. Шамова ◽  
Д.С. Орлов ◽  
А.Ю. Грязнов ◽  
Н.О. Янчук
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Germ Cells ◽  
Plasma Membranes ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Physiological Activity ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms

Значительное снижение показателей мужской фертильности, наблюдаемое в последнее время во всем мире, ведёт к необходимости более глубокого изучения механизмов молекулярной регуляции гаметогенеза и посттестикулярной трансформации сперматозоидов. Совершенствование способов влияния на эти процессы, а также поиск веществ, повышающих устойчивость гамет к действию различных повреждающих факторов, открывают перспективы разработки новых подходов в лечении мужского бесплодия. В связи с этим актуальным направлением является исследование роли эндогенных антимикробных пептидов и их физиологической активности при созревании и функционировании мужских половых клеток. Антимикробные пептиды - это уникальные компоненты системы врожденного иммунитета. Они не только обеспечивают противоинфекционную защиту организма от бактерий, вирусов и грибов, но и проявляют достаточно разнообразные биологические эффекты, которые связаны, в том числе и со способностью этих молекул принимать непосредственное участие в физиологических процессах посттестикулярного созревания половых клеток, модификации цитоплазматических мембран сперматозоидов в эпидидимисе, а также капацитации в женском репродуктивном тракте. В настоящем обзоре рассмотрены современные представления о роли антимикробных пептидов придатков яичек с позиций их участия в функционировании сперматозоидов в норме и при патологии. The significant worldwide decline in male fertility requires a comprehensive study of molecular regulatory mechanisms of gametogenesis and post-testicular sperm maturation. Improving ways to influence these processes as well as searching for substances that increase the resistance of gametes to the action of various damaging factors open up prospects for development of new approaches to treat male infertility. In this regard, current emphasis is on the study of a role of endogenous antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and their physiological activity during the maturation and functioning of male germ cells. AMPs are unique components of the innate immune system. They not only provide protection against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but also have relatively diverse biological effects. These effects are closely related to the ability of AMPs to be directly involved in the physiological processes of post-testicular maturation of germ cells, in modification of the plasma membranes of sperms in the epididymis, and their capacitation in the female reproductive tract. This review focuses on the current understanding of the role of epididymal AMPs with regard to the functioning of sperm in normal and pathological conditions.

scholarly journals Innate immunity and disorders of the female reproductive tract

Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (6) ◽  
pp. 739-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew W Horne ◽  
Sarah J Stock ◽  
Anne E King
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Ectopic Pregnancy ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Intrauterine Infection ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Normal Female ◽  
Tubal Infertility ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

Sexually transmitted infections, and their associated sequelae, such as tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy and preterm labour, are a major worldwide health problem. Chlamydia trachomatis infection is thought to be the leading global cause of tubal infertility and tubal ectopic pregnancy. Preterm birth occurs in around 10% of all deliveries, and nearly 30% of preterm deliveries are associated with intrauterine infection. The mucosal innate immune system of the female reproductive tract has evolved to eliminate such sexually transmitted pathogens whilst maintaining its ability to accommodate specialized physiological functions that include menstruation, fertilization, implantation, pregnancy and parturition. The aim of this review was to describe the role and distribution of key mediators of the innate immune system, the natural antimicrobial peptides (secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, elafin and the defensins) and the pattern recognition toll-like receptors in the normal female reproductive tract and in the context of these pathological processes.

scholarly journals Chlamydia trachomatis infection: a challenge for the urologist

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Cai ◽  
Sandra Mazzoli ◽  
Nicola Mondaini ◽  
Gianni Malossini ◽  
Riccardo Bartoletti
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Everyday Clinical Practice ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Asymptomatic Infections

<p>The role of <em>Chlamydia trachomatis</em> (Ct) in everyday clinical practice is now on the increase because Ct infections are the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial infections worldwide. Ct can cause urethritis, cervicitis, pharyngitis, or epididymitis, although asymptomatic infections are quite common. Ct infection remains asymptomatic in approximately 50% of infected men and 70% of infected women, with risk for reproductive tract sequelae both in women and men. A proper early diagnosis and treatment is essential in order to prevent persistent consequences. An accurate comprehension of the pathology, diagnosis and treatment of this entity is essential for the urologist. We review the literature about the new findings in diagnosis and treatment of Ct infection in sexually active young men.</p>

scholarly journals Vitamin D Status Impacts Genital Mucosal Immunity and Markers of HIV-1 Susceptibility in Women

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3176
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Anderson ◽  
Andrea R. Thurman ◽  
Neelima Chandra ◽  
Suzanne S. Jackson ◽  
Susana Asin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Vitamin D Status ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Hiv 1

While vitamin D insufficiency is known to impact a multitude of health outcomes, including HIV-1, little is known about the role of vitamin D-mediated immune regulation in the female reproductive tract (FRT). We performed a pilot clinical study of 20 women with circulating 25(OH)D levels <62.5 nmol/L. Participants were randomized into either weekly or daily high-dose oral vitamin D supplementation groups. In addition to serum vitamin D levels, genital mucosal endpoints, including soluble mediators, immune cell populations, gene expression, and ex vivo HIV-1 infection, were assessed. While systemic vitamin D levels showed a significant increase following supplementation, these changes translated into modest effects on the cervicovaginal factors studied. Paradoxically, post-supplementation vitamin D levels were decreased in cervicovaginal fluids. Given the strong correlation between vitamin D status and HIV-1 infection and the widespread nature of vitamin D deficiency, further understanding of the role of vitamin D immunoregulation in the female reproductive tract is important.

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