title: Human α-amylase present in lower-genital-tract mucosal fluid processes glycogen to support vaginal colonization by Lactobacillus.
abstract: Lactobacillus colonization of the lower female genital tract provides protection from the acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus, and from adverse pregnancy outcomes. While glycogen in vaginal epithelium is thought to support Lactobacillus colonization in vivo, many Lactobacillus isolates cannot utilize glycogen in vitro. This study investigated how glycogen could be utilized by vaginal lactobacilli in the genital tract. Several Lactobacillus isolates were confirmed to not grow in glycogen, but did grow in glycogen-breakdown products, including maltose, maltotriose, maltopentaose, maltodextrins, and glycogen treated with salivary α-amylase. A temperature-dependent glycogen-degrading activity was detected in genital fluids that correlated with levels of α-amylase. Treatment of glycogen with genital fluids resulted in production of maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose, the major products of α-amylase digestion. These studies show that human α-amylase is present in the female lower genital tract and elucidates how epithelial glycogen can support Lactobacillus colonization in the genital tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Spear
authors.affiliation: CORE Center of Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Audrey L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: M Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Zariffard
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: Paria
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mirmonsef
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: Thomas H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Spear
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology/Microbiology.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Landay
authors.affiliation: CORE Center of Cook County Health and Hospitals System, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Micci
authors.affiliation: Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors.forename: Byung-Hoo
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research, Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Hamaker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006003:Glycogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000254:growth & development*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006003:Glycogen; D000516:alpha-Amylases
keywords: Lactobacillus; female genital tract; glycogen; maltose; α-amylase
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