title: Autophagy and female genital tract infections: new insights and research directions.
abstract: Autophagy is a highly conserved process by which defective organelles, non-functional proteins, and intracellular microorganisms become sequestered within structures called autophagosomes, which fuse with lysosomes and the engulfed components are degraded by lysosomal enzymes. In microbial autophagy degraded peptides are used to induce antigen-specific acquired immunity. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa have developed strategies to subvert autophagy and/or to use this process to promote their replication and persistence. This review details the mechanisms by which microorganisms that infect the female genital tract and/or are detrimental to pregnancy interact with this host defence mechanism. Based on an understanding of autophagy-related pathological mechanisms, we propose new avenues for research to more effectively prevent and/or treat these infectious diseases.
authors: Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Jayaram
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Orfanelli
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Doulaveris
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Linhares
authors: W J
authors: WJ
authors: Ledger
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Witkin
mesh_terms: D001343:Autophagy; D035843:Biomedical Research; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000382:microbiology; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Autophagy; genital tract infections; pregnancy