Project description:Problem: Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) affects 5-10% of all women, negatively impacting their reproductive health and quality of life. Herein, we investigated the molecular effects of RVVC on the vaginal mucosa of otherwise healthy women. Methods: Gene expression analysis was performed on vaginal tissue biopsies from women with RVVC, including those with a current episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC, n=19) and women between infections (CNR, n=8); women asymptomatically colonized with Candida albicans (AS, n=7); and healthy controls (n=18). Gene expression profiles were compared between groups and correlated with clinical data retrieved from questionnaires and gynecologic examinations. Results: Of 20,171 genes identified in vaginal biopsies, 6,506 were differentially expressed in the RVVC group, compared to healthy controls. Gene expression pathway analysis revealed an association between RVVC and pathways of inflammatory responses, especially genes involved in neutrophil recruitment and activation. Expression of genes involved in inflammation and neutrophil recruitment increased with increasing clinical severity of vulvovaginal candidiasis, whereas expression of some genes involved in epithelial integrity decreased with increasing clinical severity of infection. Gene expression profiles of both the CNR and AS groups were comparable to those of healthy controls. Conclusions: The clinical severity of RVVC during active infection correlates with increased expression of genes involved in molecular inflammation and neutrophil activation in the vaginal mucosa. The lack of differences between healthy controls and women with RVVC who were between acute infections indicates that the molecular effects observed in the RVVC group are only present during active infection.
Project description:RNA-seq analysis of an in vivo murine model of vulvovaginal candidiasis Murine vaginas were infected with Candida albicans and harvested for RNA-seq analysis 3 days post-infection
Project description:Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a common mucosal infectious disease characterized by recurrent episodes of vulvovaginal inflammation caused by Candida albicans. Neutrophils are critical innate immune cells in antifungal defense, and IL-17A plays an important regulatory role in neutrophil function. To explore the mechanism by which IL-17A regulates neutrophils in RVVC, we collected vaginal lavage fluid from 3 healthy women and 3 RVVC patients, isolated neutrophils, and treated healthy neutrophils with IL-17A. Total RNA was extracted from three groups (healthy control group A, healthy+IL-17A group B, and RVVC patient group C), followed by transcriptome sequencing. Through quality control, library construction, sequencing, alignment, gene expression quantification, and differential expression analysis, we aim to identify differentially expressed genes and key pathways related to RVVC pathogenesis and IL-17A regulation of neutrophils.
Project description:Kunming mice were infected with Candida albicans, and transcriptome sequencing and analysis were performed to investigate the mechanism by which gene X mediates recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) through the Y signaling pathway, thereby providing novel insights and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of RVVC.
Project description:Evaluation of bacteriome and mycobiome in patients with acute vulvovaginal candidiasis before, during and after treatment with a gel containing a Lactobacillus mixture
Project description:Vaginal transcriptional signatures of the neutrophil-driven immune response correlate with clinical severity during recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis