Project description:The hormonal contraceptive medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is associated with increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), via incompletely understood mechanisms. Increased diversity in the vaginal microbiota modulates genital inflammation and is associated with increased HIV-1 acquisition. However, the effect of MPA on diversity of the vaginal microbiota is relatively unknown. In a cohort of female Kenyan sex workers, negative for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with Nugent scores <7 (N=58 of 370 screened), MPA correlated with significantly increased diversity of the vaginal microbiota as assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. MPA was also significantly associated with decreased levels of estrogen in the plasma, and low vaginal glycogen and α-amylase, factors implicated in vaginal colonization by lactobacilli, bacteria that are believed to protect against STIs. In a humanized mouse model, MPA treatment was associated with low serum estrogen, low glycogen and enhanced HIV-1 susceptibility. The mechanism by which the MPA mediated changes in the vaginal microbiota may contribute to HIV-1 susceptibility in humans appears to be independent of inflammatory cytokines and/or activated T cells. Altogether, these results suggest MPA-induced hypo-estrogenism may alter key metabolic components that are necessary for vaginal colonization by certain bacterial species including lactobacilli, and allow for greater bacterial diversity in the vaginal microbiota.
Project description:Dendritic cells (DC) localize throughout the body, where they sense and capture invading pathogens to induce protective immune responses. Hence, harnessing the biology of tissue-resident DC is crucial for the rational design of vaccines against pathogens. Herein, we characterized the transcriptomes of four antigen presenting cell (APC) subsets from the human vagina (vLC, vCD14- DC, vCD14+ DC, vMM-NM-&) and compared them to those of three skin DC (sDC) subsets and blood myeloid DC. We find that APC genomic fingerprints are significantly influenced by the tissue of origin as well as by individual APC subsets. Nonetheless, CD14+ APC from both vagina and skin are geared towards innate immunity and pro-inflammatory responses, whereas CD14- DC, particularly sLC, vLC, and vCD14- DC, display both Th2-inducing and regulatory phenotypes. We also identified vAPC subset-specific cellular and functional biomarkers that will guide the design of mucosal vaccines against sexually transmitted pathogens. Vaginal and skin tissues were obtained from female patients who underwent pelvic or cosmetic surgeries under protocols approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Baylor Research Institute (BRI). Patients were not infected with HIV, HCV or TB and did not display inflammation in the tissues. No other diagnosis information was available. Blood from healthy female volunteers was obtained under a protocol approved by the IRB of BRI. 87 total samples. 6 Blood mDC; 16 Dermal CD1c+CD14-; 10 Epidermal LC; 12 Vaginal CD1c+CD14-; 13 Vaginal CD1c+CD14+; 7 Vaginal HLADR- w/ 2 replicates (Vaginal HLADR-_VM610 and Vaginal HLADR-_VM611); 9Vaginal LC; 14 Vaginal Macrophage.
Project description:Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Strep, GAS) is a serious human pathogen with the ability to colonize mucosal surfaces such as the nasopharynx and vaginal tract, often leading to infections such as pharyngitis and vulvovaginitis. We present genome-wide RNASeq data showing the transcriptomic changes GAS undergoes during vaginal colonization. These data reveal that the regulon controlled by MtsR, a master metal regulator, is activated during vaginal colonization. This regulon includes two genes highly expressed during vaginal colonization, hupYZ. Here we show that HupY binds heme in vitro, affects intracellular concentrations of iron, and is essential for proper growth of GAS using hemoglobin or serum as the sole iron source. HupY is also important for murine vaginal colonization of both GAS and the related vaginal colonizer and pathogen, Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Strep, GBS). These data provide essential information on the link between metal regulation and mucosal colonization in both GAS and GBS.
Project description:Sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, which has improved the characterization of microbial community, has made it possible to detect a low level Helicobacter pylori (HP) sequences even in HP-negative subjects which were determined by a combination of conventional methods. This study was conducted to obtain a cutoff value for HP colonization in gastric mucosa biopsies and gastric juices by the pyrosequencing method. Corresponding author: Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoungnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea (Tel., +82-31-787-7008; e-mail, nayoungkim49@empas.com). Microbial DNA from gastric mucosal samples [gastric antrum (n=63, mucosal biopsy), follow-up sample on gastric antrum (n=16, mucosal biopsy), and gastric body (n=18, mucosal biopsy)] and gastric juices (n=4, not mucosal biopsy) was amplified by nested PCR using universal bacterial primers, and the 16S rRNA genes were pyrosequenced.
Project description:<p>The focus of this study was to better understand the effects of cigarette smoking on the vaginal microbiome. There were two phases of the study, cross-sectional and longitudinal, conducted at the Center for Health Behavior Research at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. In the cross-sectional phase, 20 smokers and 20 non-smokers collected mid-vaginal swabs, measured their vaginal pH, prepared a vaginal smear on a slide for Nugent Gram stain analysis, and completed questionnaires about demographics, tobacco use, and reproductive and sexual health history. Smoking status was confirmed through self-report, carbon monoxide exhalation and saliva cotinine measures. Secretions from the mid-vaginal swabs were tested for presence/absence of HPV strains and GC-MS was used to quantify the levels of over 600 metabolites.</p> <p>In the longitudinal phase, 7 participants who were current smokers and motivated to quit smoking were recruited and followed for up to 12 weeks. On a daily basis, participants collected mid-vaginal swabs, measured their vaginal pH, and prepared a mid-vaginal smear on a slide for Nugent Gram stain analysis, and completed daily diaries on tobacco use and reproductive health. Carbon monoxide exhalation and saliva cotinine measures were collected at weekly clinical visits. In addition, participants had weekly behavioral counseling sessions about smoking cessation and used Nicoderm CQ patches to aid in quitting smoking. The self-collected vaginal swabs were used for DNA extractions,16s rRNA sequencing and measurement of metabolites in vaginal fluid.</p>