Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses
Abstract Background Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection (STI). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by a reduction in health-associated Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobes. Both BV-associated bacteria (BVB) an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06996-5 |
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| author | Shu-Fang Chiu Ching-Yun Huang Chien-Yung Chen Wei-Jane Hsu Yuan-Ming Yeh Ya-Wen Shih Lichieh Julie Chu Wei-Ning Lin Kuo-Yang Huang |
| author_facet | Shu-Fang Chiu Ching-Yun Huang Chien-Yung Chen Wei-Jane Hsu Yuan-Ming Yeh Ya-Wen Shih Lichieh Julie Chu Wei-Ning Lin Kuo-Yang Huang |
| author_sort | Shu-Fang Chiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection (STI). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by a reduction in health-associated Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobes. Both BV-associated bacteria (BVB) and Tv are linked to adverse gynecologic outcomes. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether interactions between vaginal bacterial species and Tv could modulate Tv pathogenicity and Tv-induced host immune responses. Methods We established a co-culture system to evaluate the interaction between Tv and various vaginal bacteria, including Lactobacillus crispatus, Escherichia coli, Prevotella bivia, and Lactobacillus iners, in the context of polymicrobial infection in ectocervical cells (Ect1). The impact of the interactions between Tv and these bacterial species on Tv adhesion, Tv-induced cytotoxicity in Ect1 cells, and cytokine secretion were assessed. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms governing host inflammation following Tv-bacteria interactions were investigated. Results Our in vitro model showed that specific BVB, particularly P. bivia, enhanced the expression of Tv ap65 gene and promoted Tv adhesion to host cells. Additionally, Tv pretreated with P. bivia increased cytotoxicity and upregulated IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and IP-10 secretion in Ect1 cells. Furthermore, Ect1 cells stimulated with Tv pretreated with P. bivia also activated the PI3K, ERK, and p38 MAPK pathways, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) events. These results demonstrate that this potential pathobiont enhances Tv pathogenicity, highlighting the impact of the vaginal microbiome on host cells during Tv infection. Conclusions This study significantly advances our understanding of the complex host-bacteria-parasite interactions in the vaginal ecosystem. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1cd0e5e8c5644888fb04cbbbf0df5d0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1cd0e5e8c5644888fb04cbbbf0df5d02025-08-20T03:45:48ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052025-08-0118111410.1186/s13071-025-06996-5Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responsesShu-Fang Chiu0Ching-Yun Huang1Chien-Yung Chen2Wei-Jane Hsu3Yuan-Ming Yeh4Ya-Wen Shih5Lichieh Julie Chu6Wei-Ning Lin7Kuo-Yang Huang8Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical CenterGraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical CenterDepartment of Inspection, Taipei City HospitalDepartment of Inspection, Taipei City HospitalGenomic Medicine Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial HospitalSchool of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health SciencesGraduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung UniversityGraduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic UniversityHost-Parasite Interactions Laboratory, National Defense Medical CenterAbstract Background Trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv), is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection (STI). Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is characterized by a reduction in health-associated Lactobacillus and an overgrowth of anaerobes. Both BV-associated bacteria (BVB) and Tv are linked to adverse gynecologic outcomes. Herein, we aimed to investigate whether interactions between vaginal bacterial species and Tv could modulate Tv pathogenicity and Tv-induced host immune responses. Methods We established a co-culture system to evaluate the interaction between Tv and various vaginal bacteria, including Lactobacillus crispatus, Escherichia coli, Prevotella bivia, and Lactobacillus iners, in the context of polymicrobial infection in ectocervical cells (Ect1). The impact of the interactions between Tv and these bacterial species on Tv adhesion, Tv-induced cytotoxicity in Ect1 cells, and cytokine secretion were assessed. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms governing host inflammation following Tv-bacteria interactions were investigated. Results Our in vitro model showed that specific BVB, particularly P. bivia, enhanced the expression of Tv ap65 gene and promoted Tv adhesion to host cells. Additionally, Tv pretreated with P. bivia increased cytotoxicity and upregulated IL-6, IL-8, CXCL1, and IP-10 secretion in Ect1 cells. Furthermore, Ect1 cells stimulated with Tv pretreated with P. bivia also activated the PI3K, ERK, and p38 MAPK pathways, triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) events. These results demonstrate that this potential pathobiont enhances Tv pathogenicity, highlighting the impact of the vaginal microbiome on host cells during Tv infection. Conclusions This study significantly advances our understanding of the complex host-bacteria-parasite interactions in the vaginal ecosystem. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06996-5Trichomonas vaginalisPrevotella biviaBVBAdhesionHost immune response |
| spellingShingle | Shu-Fang Chiu Ching-Yun Huang Chien-Yung Chen Wei-Jane Hsu Yuan-Ming Yeh Ya-Wen Shih Lichieh Julie Chu Wei-Ning Lin Kuo-Yang Huang Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses Parasites & Vectors Trichomonas vaginalis Prevotella bivia BVB Adhesion Host immune response |
| title | Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| title_full | Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| title_fullStr | Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| title_short | Interactions between bacterial vaginosis-associated microbiota and Trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite-induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| title_sort | interactions between bacterial vaginosis associated microbiota and trichomonas vaginalis modulate parasite induced pathogenicity and host immune responses |
| topic | Trichomonas vaginalis Prevotella bivia BVB Adhesion Host immune response |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-025-06996-5 |
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