Translocation of vaginal microbiota is involved in impairment and protection of uterine health

Nat Commun. 2021 Jul 7;12(1):4191. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-24516-8.

Abstract

The vaginal and uterine microbiota play important roles in the health of the female reproductive system. However, the interactions among the microbes in these two niches and their effects on uterine health remain unclear. Here we profile the vaginal and uterine microbial samples of 145 women, and combine with deep mining of public data and animal experiments to characterize the microbial translocation in the female reproductive tract and its role in modulating uterine health. Synchronous variation and increasing convergence of the uterine and vaginal microbiome with advancing age are shown. We also find that transplanting certain strains of vaginal bacteria into the vagina of rats induces or reduces endometritis-like symptoms, and verify the damaging or protective effects of certain vaginal bacteria on endometrium. This study clarifies the interdependent relationship of vaginal bacterial translocation with uterine microecology and endometrial health, which will undoubtedly increase our understanding of female reproductive health.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Observational Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animals
  • Bacterial Translocation*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cohort Studies
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endometritis / epidemiology
  • Endometritis / microbiology*
  • Endometritis / pathology
  • Endometrium / microbiology
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbiota*
  • Middle Aged
  • Protective Factors
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Rats
  • Reproductive Health*
  • Risk Factors
  • Vagina / microbiology*
  • Women's Health
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S