Review
Microbiology
Eric Armstrong, Rupert Kaul
Summary: HIV incidence remains high in Eastern and Southern Africa, particularly affecting women. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in African, Caribbean, and other Black (ACB) women is associated with increased risk of HIV acquisition, with Lactobacillus species such as L. crispatus offering better protection compared to the more common species L. iners. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms behind the varying levels of HIV protection among different Lactobacillus species.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Hannah M. VanBenschoten, Kim A. Woodrow
Summary: Recent estimates show that one in two sexually active individuals will acquire a sexually transmitted infection by age 25, highlighting the importance of vaccination against STIs. Vaginal immunization is a promising strategy to combat transmission via the vaginal mucosa by overcoming immune tolerance and establishing tissue resident memory immune cells. Research is focusing on exploring the potential of vaginal vaccine studies and the role of mucosal adjuvants and delivery systems in enhancing immunity.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Zongxin Ling, Yiwen Cheng, Jie Gao, Wenhui Lei, Xiumei Yan, Xiaogang Hu, Li Shao, Xia Liu, Runfang Kang
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether the fecal and vaginal microbiomes are disrupted in SLE patients and whether they are correlated, as well as their associations with immunological features. The results showed that although both the intestinal and vaginal microbiomes of SLE patients were altered, the changes in the vaginal microbiome were more pronounced and were associated with the patients' immunological features.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Hanna Kronfeld, Nicole Kemper, Christina S. Hoelzel
Summary: Knowledge of vaginal and uterine microbiomes is crucial for preventing uterine diseases and understanding their development. A study on dairy cows found that cows with pathological puerperium had reduced bacterial diversity and higher occurrence of certain bacterial genera (such as Fusobacteria spp., Bacteroides spp., and Helcococcus spp.). The study also observed correlation between bacterial occurrences in the vagina and uterus, and a lower incidence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in cows with puerperal disorders.
Article
Microbiology
Malene Risager Lykke, Naja Becher, Thor Haahr, Ebbe Boedtkjer, Jorgen Skov Jensen, Niels Uldbjerg
Summary: This study found a pronounced pH gradient within the female genital tract, and this gradient was not disrupted in women with an abnormal vaginal microbiota.
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jenna M. Rehmer, Cecile A. Ferrando, Rebecca Flyckt, Tommaso Falcone
Summary: This video demonstrates successful donor-to-recipient vaginal anastomosis techniques in uterine transplantation, emphasizing the importance of tension-free closure. The team applied techniques from vaginal reconstructive surgery to reduce postoperative vaginal strictures, focusing on donor and recipient tissue preparation and the use of tension-free suturing technique for closure.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xuetao Mao, Hao Chen, Xuan Peng, Xingping Zhao, Zheng Yu, Dabao Xu
Summary: This study revealed dysbiosis of the female reproductive tract in the presence of uterine fibroids and identified a distinct pattern of characteristic vaginal and cervical microbiome involved in uterine fibroids.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinfeng Wang, Zhanzhan Li, Xiuling Ma, Lifeng Du, Zhen Jia, Xue Cui, Liqun Yu, Jing Yang, Liwen Xiao, Bing Zhang, Huimin Fan, Fangqing Zhao
Summary: The study focuses on the comparative analysis of vaginal and uterine microbiota derived from women with chronic endometritis, and characterizes the microbial translocation in the female reproductive tract and its role in modulating uterine health through animal experiments. With advancing age, there is synchronous variation and increasing convergence of the uterine and vaginal microbiome.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Li Wang, Junyu Chen, Lin He, Hanbo Liu, Yan Liu, Zonghui Luan, Hong Li, Weixin Liu, Mengjun Luo
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and differences in the uterus and vaginal microbiome between women with early embryonic arrest and those with normal pregnancy using high-throughput sequencing. The results showed significant differences in Lactobacillus, Bacteroidetes, and Helicobacter in the vagina between the two groups. The study also identified specific dominant bacterial species and genera in both the vagina and uterus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryan M. Marquardt, Soo Hyun Ahn, Jake J. Reske, Ronald L. Chandler, Margaret G. Petroff, Tae Hoon Kim, Jae-Wook Jeong
Summary: A growing body of work suggests that epigenetic dysregulation is involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and female infertility. This study focuses on the chromatin remodeling complex subunit ARID1A and its role in maintaining normal uterine function. The researchers found that ARID1A is decreased in infertile women with endometriosis and hypothesized that it is involved in critical operations in the endometrial epithelium necessary for fertility. Through RNA-sequencing analysis on pre-implantation uteri from mice, they discovered alterations in immune-related gene expression resulting from loss of epithelial ARID1A. These findings demonstrate the importance of endometrial epithelial ARID1A in suppressing inflammation and maintaining uterine immune homeostasis for successful pregnancy and gynecological health.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. G. Moore, C. Feehily, R. C. Doyle, F. Buckley, P. Lonergan, P. D. Cotter, S. T. Butler
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the differences in microbial composition and functional potential of the vaginal and uterine microbiota between dairy cows diagnosed with or without purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) at 3 weeks postpartum. The results showed that the differences in microbial composition and functional potential between PVD- and PVD+ cows were dependent on parity and breed.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Susan Tuddenham, Christina A. Stennett, Richard A. Cone, Jacques Ravel, Andrew N. Macintyre, Khalil G. Ghanem, Xin He, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: Limited data suggests that personal lubricants may affect vaginal mucosal epithelium and microbiota. In this study, vaginal cytokine profiles and microbiota before and after lubricant use and condomless vaginal sex were compared. Overall, few differences were observed in microbiota and cytokine profiles, but a trend toward a decrease in L. crispatus abundance following lubricant use was noted. Further studies on lubricant osmolarity and composition may offer additional insights.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Luciano Cardoso Santos, Jeane Martinha dos Anjos Cordeiro, Larissa da Silva Santana, Larissa Rodrigues Santana, Bianca Reis Santos, Erikles Macedo Barbosa, Thayna Queiroz Menezes da Silva, Janaina Maria Xavier Correa, Mario Sergio Lima Lavor, Elisangela Barboza da Silva, Natalia de Melo Ocarino, Rogeria Serakides, Juneo Freitas Silva
Summary: Failures in hypothalamic kisspeptin/Kiss1r signaling are linked to infertility, and in vitro studies suggest kisspeptin may affect angiogenesis and immune activity. This study explored the gene correlation between kisspeptin/Kiss1r and angiogenic and immune mediators in the uterus of domestic cats, highlighting the impact of the estrous cycle and pyometra on the expression of these factors.
BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yentl Louise Betty Nel Bequet, Eileen Elisabeth Lynn O'neill Lashley, Mariette Goddijn, Marie-Louise Petronella van der Hoorn
Summary: This narrative review provides a summary of the current knowledge on the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in recurrent pregnancy loss and potential treatment options. Uterine natural killer cells play a critical role in early gestation and implantation, and may hold answers for treatment choices. Properly designed and powered clinical trials are needed to gain more insight into the effects of treatment options on uNK cells.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Chunyan Gu, Chen Lin, Zheng Zhu, Li Hu, Fengxu Wang, Xuehai Wang, Junpu Ruan, Xinyuan Zhao, Sen Huang
Summary: This study explored the role of IFN-gamma-related genes and long non-coding RNAs in endometrial carcinoma, identifying a prognostic signature and demonstrating significant differences in outcomes and immune microenvironment between high-risk and low-risk groups.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
