Vaginal microbiome dysbiosis and sexually transmitted infections correlate with concentrations of immunoglobulin isotypes in human cervicovaginal mucus: insights into HIV-1 transmission.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Little is known about the relationship between antibody isotype in cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) and the local microenvironment and how this impacts HIV-1 transmission at the female genital mucosa.

Methods

In a cohort of 139 adult women in Kenya, we measured antibody isotypes in CVM and describe their associations with local pH, serum concentrations of estrogen and progesterone, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV-1.

Results

We found that immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) was the most abundant and IgG4 was the least abundant in the CVM. Overall, IgG1 concentrations were significantly lower in CVM samples from women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) compared to those without BV. Among women with BV, IgG1 concentrations declined further as vaginal pH

SUBMITTER: Akiso MM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12271226 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature