Background: Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays an important role in maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiome, but little is known about the interaction between local immunoglobulins and the vaginal microbiome. We assessed immunoglobulins (unbound and bound to bacteria), their association with vaginal microbiota composition and the changes over time in 25 healthy women of reproductive age.
Results: In both Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated and non-L. crispatus-dominated microbiota, IgA and IgG (unbound and bound to bacteria) were higher during menses (T = 1) compared to day 7‑11 (T = 2) and day 17‑25 (T = 3) after menses onset. The majority of vaginal bacteria are coated with IgA and/or IgG. Women with L. crispatus-dominated microbiota have increased IgA coating of vaginal bacteria compared to women with other microbiota compositions, but contained less IgA per bacterium. Presence of a dominantly IgA-coated population at T = 2 and/or T = 3 was also strongly associated with L. crispatus-dominated microbiota. In women with non-L. crispatus-dominated microbiota, more bacteria were uncoated. Unbound IgA, unbound IgG, and bound IgG levels were not associated with microbiota composition.
Conclusions: In conclusion, L. crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota have higher levels of bacterial IgA coating compared to non-L. crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota. Similar to its regulating function in the intestinal tract, we hypothesize that IgA is involved in maintaining L. crispatus-dominated microbiota in the female genital tract. This may play a role in L. crispatus-associated health benefits. Video abstract.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8787895 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01198-4 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Lactobacillus crispatus S-layer proteins modulate innate immune response and inflammation in the lower female reproductive tract.
Nat Commun
December 2024
Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Lactobacillus species dominance of the vaginal microbiome is a hallmark of vaginal health. Pathogen displacement of vaginal lactobacilli drives innate immune activation and mucosal barrier disruption, increasing the risks of STI acquisition and, in pregnancy, of preterm birth. We describe differential TLR mediated activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor NF-κB by vaginal pathogens and commensals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVaginal microbiota stability over 18 months in young student women in France.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
December 2024
Anti-Infective Evasion and Pharmacoepidemiology Team, Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, CESP, 78180, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.
Purpose: Non-optimal vaginal microbiota lacking lactobacilli and comprising a wide array of anaerobic bacteria, typified by community state type (CST) IV, have been associated with adverse gynecological and pregnancy outcomes. Here, we investigate the stability of the vaginal microbiota sampled every 6 months over 18 months and how samples distantly collected combined with exposures could provide insight on future microbiota compositional changes.
Methods: Vaginal microbiota dynamics were analyzed in 241 female students aged 18-24 years and negative for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Synbiotics in patients at risk for spontaneous preterm birth: protocol for a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial (PRIORI).
Trials
September 2024
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg, Genk, Belgium.
Background: Prematurity remains one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Approximately two thirds of preterm births are spontaneous, i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRelationships between the vaginal microbiota and genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms in postmenopausal women: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation.
Menopause
November 2023
Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
Article Synopsis
- - The study examined the vaginal microbiota of 1,320 postmenopausal women and its relationship with symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as vaginal dryness and sexual pain, using self-collected samples and various analytical methods.
- - The most common microbiota community state type (CST) found was low Lactobacillus species IV-C, and a significant number of women with vaginal atrophy biomarkers showed this CST, while those using estrogen had a higher occurrence of Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated CSTs.
- - The findings indicated that while there were connections between estrogen, CSTs, vaginal maturity index (VMI), and pH, only sexual pain was consistently linked to changes
Analysis of bacterial vaginosis, the vaginal microbiome, and sexually transmitted infections following the provision of menstrual cups in Kenyan schools: Results of a nested study within a cluster randomized controlled trial.
PLoS Med
July 2023
Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Background: Nonhygienic products for managing menstruation are reported to cause reproductive tract infections. Menstrual cups are a potential solution. We assessed whether menstrual cups would reduce bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal microbiome (VMB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as studies have not evaluated this.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!