The Interaction Between Microorganisms, Metabolites, and Immune System in the Female Genital Tract Microenvironment

• Main Authors: Huanrong Li, Yuqin Zang, Chen Wang, Huiyang Li, Aiping Fan, Cha Han, Fengxia Xue
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-12-01
• Series: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
• Subjects: microenvironment; female genital tract; immunity; metabolites; microbiota
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.609488/full

The female reproductive tract microenvironment includes microorganisms, metabolites, and immune components, and the balance of the interactions among them plays an important role in maintaining female reproductive tract homeostasis and health. When any one of the reproductive tract microorganisms, metabolites, or immunity is out of balance, it will affect the other two, leading to the occurrence and development of diseases and the appearance of corresponding symptoms and signs, such as infertility, miscarriage, premature delivery, and gynecological tumors caused by infectious diseases of the reproductive tract. Nutrients in the female reproductive tract provide symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms with a source of nutrients for their own reproduction and utilization. At the same time, this interaction with the host forms a variety of metabolites. Changes in metabolites in the host reproductive tract are related not only to the interaction between the host and microbiota under dysbiosis but also to changes in host immunity or the environment, all of which will participate in the pathogenesis of diseases and lead to disease-related phenotypes. Microorganisms and their metabolites can also interact with host immunity, activate host immunity, and change the host immune status and are closely related to persistent genital pathogen infections, aggravation of infectious diseases, severe pregnancy outcomes, and even gynecological cancers. Therefore, studying the interaction between microorganisms, metabolites, and immunity in the reproductive tract cannot only reveal the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to inflammation of the reproductive tract, adverse pregnancy outcomes and tumorigenesis but also provide a basis for further research on the diagnosis and treatment of targets.