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Zhu B, Tao Z, Edupuganti L, Serrano MG, Buck GA. Roles of the Microbiota of the Female Reproductive Tract in Gynecological and Reproductive Health. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2022; 86:e0018121. [PMID: 36222685 PMCID: PMC9769908 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00181-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbiome of the female reproductive tract defies the convention that high biodiversity is a hallmark of an optimal ecosystem. Although not universally true, a homogeneous vaginal microbiome composed of species of Lactobacillus is generally associated with health, whereas vaginal microbiomes consisting of other taxa are generally associated with dysbiosis and a higher risk of disease. The past decade has seen a rapid advancement in our understanding of these unique biosystems. Of particular interest, substantial effort has been devoted to deciphering how members of the microbiome of the female reproductive tract impact pregnancy, with a focus on adverse outcomes, including but not limited to preterm birth. Herein, we review recent research efforts that are revealing the mechanisms by which these microorganisms of the female reproductive tract influence gynecologic and reproductive health of the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhu
- Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Zhi Tao
- Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Laahirie Edupuganti
- Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Myrna G. Serrano
- Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Gregory A. Buck
- Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Center for Microbiome Engineering and Data Analysis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- Computer Science, School of Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Dolat L, Carpenter VK, Chen YS, Suzuki M, Smith EP, Kuddar O, Valdivia RH. Chlamydia repurposes the actin-binding protein EPS8 to disassemble epithelial tight junctions and promote infection. Cell Host Microbe 2022; 30:1685-1700.e10. [PMID: 36395759 PMCID: PMC9793342 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2022.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Invasive microbial pathogens often disrupt epithelial barriers, yet the mechanisms used to dismantle tight junctions are poorly understood. Here, we show that the obligate pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis uses the effector protein TepP to transiently disassemble tight junctions early during infection. TepP alters the tyrosine phosphorylation status of host proteins involved in cytoskeletal regulation, including the filamentous actin-binding protein EPS8. We determined that TepP and EPS8 are necessary and sufficient to remodel tight junctions and that the ensuing disruption of epithelial barrier function promotes secondary invasion events. The genetic deletion of EPS8 renders epithelial cells and endometrial organoids resistant to TepP-mediated tight junction remodeling. Finally, TepP and EPS8 promote infection in murine models of infections, with TepP mutants displaying defects in ascension to the upper genital tract. These findings reveal a non-canonical function of EPS8 in the disassembly of epithelial junctions and an important role for Chlamydia pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Dolat
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Victoria K Carpenter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yi-Shan Chen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michitaka Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Erin P Smith
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ozge Kuddar
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Raphael H Valdivia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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Peric A, Weiss J, Vulliemoz N, Baud D, Stojanov M. Bacterial Colonization of the Female Upper Genital Tract. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3405. [PMID: 31373310 PMCID: PMC6678922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria colonize most of the human body, and the female genital tract is not an exception. While the existence of a vaginal microbiota has been well established, the upper genital tract has been considered a sterile environment, with a general assumption that bacterial presence is associated with adverse clinical manifestation. However, recent metagenomic studies identified specific patterns of microbiota colonizing the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and placenta. These results need confirmation and further investigations since the data are only scarce. Bacterial colonization of these sites appears different from the vaginal one, despite evidence that vaginal bacteria could ascend to the upper genital tract through the cervix. Are these bacteria only commensal or do they play a role in the physiology of the female upper genital tract? Which are the genera that may have a negative and a positive impact on the female reproductive function? The aim of this review is to critically present all available data on upper genital tract microbiota and discuss its role in human reproduction, ranging from the technical aspects of these types of analyses to the description of specific bacterial genera. Although still very limited, research focusing on genital colonization of bacteria other than the vaginal milieu might bring novel insights into physiopathology of human reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Peric
- Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Weiss
- Clinic for Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, 6000 Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Vulliemoz
- Fertility Medicine and Gynaecologic Endocrinology Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - David Baud
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Milos Stojanov
- Materno-fetal and Obstetrics Research Unit, Department Woman-Mother-Child, Lausanne University Hospital, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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