Enhanced IgA coating of bacteria in women with Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota.

Breedveld, Annelot C, Schuster, Heleen J ORCID: 0000-0002-2230-0261, van Houdt, Robin, Painter, Rebecca C, Mebius, Reina E ORCID: 0000-0003-0451-7464, van der Veer, Charlotte ORCID: 0000-0002-1685-1622, Bruisten, Sylvia M, Savelkoul, Paul HM and van Egmond, Marjolein (2022) Enhanced IgA coating of bacteria in women with Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota. Microbiome, 10 (1). 15-.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40168-021-01198-4

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays an important role in maintaining a healthy intestinal microbiome, but little is known about the interaction between local immunoglobulins and the vaginal microbiome. We assessed immunoglobulins (unbound and bound to bacteria), their association with vaginal microbiota composition and the changes over time in 25 healthy women of reproductive age.<h4>Results</h4>In both Lactobacillus crispatus-dominated and non-L. crispatus-dominated microbiota, IgA and IgG (unbound and bound to bacteria) were higher during menses (T = 1) compared to day 7‑11 (T = 2) and day 17‑25 (T = 3) after menses onset. The majority of vaginal bacteria are coated with IgA and/or IgG. Women with L. crispatus-dominated microbiota have increased IgA coating of vaginal bacteria compared to women with other microbiota compositions, but contained less IgA per bacterium. Presence of a dominantly IgA-coated population at T = 2 and/or T = 3 was also strongly associated with L. crispatus-dominated microbiota. In women with non-L. crispatus-dominated microbiota, more bacteria were uncoated. Unbound IgA, unbound IgG, and bound IgG levels were not associated with microbiota composition.<h4>Conclusions</h4>In conclusion, L. crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota have higher levels of bacterial IgA coating compared to non-L. crispatus-dominated vaginal microbiota. Similar to its regulating function in the intestinal tract, we hypothesize that IgA is involved in maintaining L. crispatus-dominated microbiota in the female genital tract. This may play a role in L. crispatus-associated health benefits. Video abstract.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Vagina, Humans, Bacteria, Immunoglobulin A, Female, Microbiota, Lactobacillus crispatus
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Life Courses and Medical Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	20 May 2022 12:56
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 21:01
DOI:	10.1186/s40168-021-01198-4
Open Access URL:	https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articl...
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3155210