Inflammatory pathways within specific mucosal cell populations shed light on microbiome-associated inflammation in the female genital tract mucosa

The microbiome of the female genital tract (FGT) has been implicated in a variety of reproductive health outcomes, including HIV acquisition. A microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus is associated with low levels of mucosal inflammation, while diverse microbial communities rich in anaerobes are associated with inflammation and increased HIV acquisition risk. It is unclear how these microbial communities interact with the local mucosal immune environment in a way that might generate an inflammatory response and thereby heighten HIV acquisition risk.

Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology - November 24, 2020 Category: OBGYN Authors: E.H. Byrne, M. Farcasanu, S.M. Bloom, N. Xulu, J. Xu, S.A. Handley, J. Bramante, C.M. Mitchell, A.-C. Villani, D.S. Kwon Tags: IDSOG Poster Presentation Source Type: research