Trichomonas vaginalis causes the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection linked to increased risk of premature birth, cervical cancer and HIV. This study defines molecular domains of the parasite surface glycoconjugate lipophosphoglycan (LPG) with distinct functions in the host immunoinflammatory response. The ceramide phospho-inositol glycan core (CPI-GC) released by mild acid had Mr of approximately 8,700 Da determined by MALDI-TOF MS. Rha, GlcN, Gal and Xyl and small amounts of GalN and Glc were found in CPI-GC. N-acetyllactosamine repeats were identified by endo-beta-galactosidase treatment followed by MALDI-MS and MS/MS and capLC/ESI-MS/MS analyses. Mild acid hydrolysis led to products rich in internal deoxyhexose residues. The CPI-GC induced chemokine production, NF-kappaB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation in human cervicovaginal epithelial cells, but neither the released saccharide components nor the lipid-devoid LPG showed these activities. These results suggest a dominant role for CPI-GC in the pathogenic epithelial response to trichomoniasis.
is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, one of the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infections globally. Our previous work reported the role of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphates (PIP) signaling in the actin-dependent pathogenicity of . This study further demonstrated that iron transiently regulated phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase (PI4P5K) proteostasis and its complex formation with an active ADP ribosylation factor Arf220, facilitating co-trafficking to the plasma membrane, crucial for PIP production.
Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular flagellated protozoan responsible for trichomoniasis, one of the most prevalent nonviral sexually transmitted infections. To persist in its host, T. vaginalis employs sophisticated gene regulation mechanisms to adapt to hostile environmental conditions.
The early evolution of eukaryotes and their adaptations to low-oxygen environments are fascinating open questions in biology. Genome-scale data from novel eukaryotes, and particularly from free-living lineages, are the key to answering these questions. The Parabasalia are a major group of anaerobic eukaryotes that form the most speciose lineage of Metamonada.
Background: Vaginitis is a common disease of the reproductive system in women, causing discomfort in daily life. Many reports indicate that the causes of vaginitis are related to vaginal microecological disturbances. Therefore, treatment strategies to restore microecological balance have shown promising results in both basic research and clinical settings.
- The study investigates the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among asymptomatic pregnant women in Limpopo, South Africa, highlighting the insufficient health care for STIs in this demographic due to their often asymptomatic nature.
- Conducted from March to November 2023, the research involved self-collected samples tested with advanced PCR techniques, revealing that the most common STIs detected were (insert specific pathogens here).
- The findings indicate a high prevalence of STIs in this group, stressing the importance of diagnostic screening rather than just treating symptoms to avoid missing infections in pregnant women.
