PROBLEM: The functions of vaginal lactobacilli in susceptibility to infectious diseases as regards epithelial barrier integrity and wound healing remain incompletely understood. METHOD OF STUDY: Lactobacillus crispatus, one of the most common Lactobacillus species in the vagina and among the most protective against sexually transmitted infections, was cocultured with an immortalized human vaginal epithelial cell line (MS74), and a scratch assay was performed to evaluate re-epithelialization. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An immunofluorescence assay was performed to locate the expression of VEGF and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 1 and 2. The effects of the bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus were also evaluated. RESULTS: Lactobacillus crispatus significantly accelerated re-epithelialization of MS74 cells, accompanied by an increase in VEGF concentration. In contrast, heat-killed L. crispatus did not show this effect. The bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus also induced re-epithelialization. The immunoreactivity of VEGF was higher at the scratched edge, whereas VEGFR1 and 2 stained site-independently. Recombinant VEGF induced cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. The bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus also significantly accelerated re-epithelialization in MS74 cells and increased the concentration of VEGF in the culture 24 hours after the scratch. CONCLUSION: These results may enhance our knowledge of the importance of L. crispatus in the healing of damaged vaginal epithelium and protection against the consequent risk of pathogenic infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and improve our understanding of vaginal epithelial barrier integrity maintenance by this bacterium.
PROBLEM: The functions of vaginal lactobacilli in susceptibility to infectious diseases as regards epithelial barrier integrity and wound healing remain incompletely understood. METHOD OF STUDY: Lactobacillus crispatus, one of the most common Lactobacillus species in the vagina and among the most protective against sexually transmitted infections, was cocultured with an immortalized human vaginal epithelial cell line (MS74), and a scratch assay was performed to evaluate re-epithelialization. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF) was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). An immunofluorescence assay was performed to locate the expression of VEGF and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 1 and 2. The effects of the bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus were also evaluated. RESULTS:Lactobacillus crispatus significantly accelerated re-epithelialization of MS74 cells, accompanied by an increase in VEGF concentration. In contrast, heat-killed L. crispatus did not show this effect. The bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus also induced re-epithelialization. The immunoreactivity of VEGF was higher at the scratched edge, whereas VEGFR1 and 2 stained site-independently. Recombinant VEGF induced cell migration in a dose-dependent manner. The bacterial supernatant of L. crispatus also significantly accelerated re-epithelialization in MS74 cells and increased the concentration of VEGF in the culture 24 hours after the scratch. CONCLUSION: These results may enhance our knowledge of the importance of L. crispatus in the healing of damaged vaginal epithelium and protection against the consequent risk of pathogenic infections, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and improve our understanding of vaginal epithelial barrier integrity maintenance by this bacterium.
Authors: Vonetta L Edwards; Steven B Smith; Elias J McComb; Jeanne Tamarelle; Bing Ma; Michael S Humphrys; Pawel Gajer; Kathleen Gwilliam; Alison M Schaefer; Samuel K Lai; Mishka Terplan; Katrina S Mark; Rebecca M Brotman; Larry J Forney; Patrik M Bavoil; Jacques Ravel Journal: mBio Date: 2019-08-13 Impact factor: 7.867
Authors: Heng Choon Cheong; Polly Soo Xi Yap; Chun Wie Chong; Yi Ying Cheok; Chalystha Yie Qin Lee; Grace Min Yi Tan; Sofiah Sulaiman; Jamiyah Hassan; Negar Shafiei Sabet; Chung Yeng Looi; Rishein Gupta; Bernard Arulanandam; Sazaly AbuBakar; Cindy Shuan Ju Teh; Li Yen Chang; Won Fen Wong Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-11-18 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: David Jose Delgado-Diaz; Brianna Jesaveluk; Joshua A Hayward; David Tyssen; Arghavan Alisoltani; Matthys Potgieter; Liam Bell; Elizabeth Ross; Arash Iranzadeh; Imane Allali; Smritee Dabee; Shaun Barnabas; Hoyam Gamieldien; Jonathan M Blackburn; Nicola Mulder; Steven B Smith; Vonetta L Edwards; Adam D Burgener; Linda-Gail Bekker; Jacques Ravel; Jo-Ann S Passmore; Lindi Masson; Anna C Hearps; Gilda Tachedjian Journal: Microbiome Date: 2022-08-31 Impact factor: 16.837