Cervicovaginal complement system and neutrophil activation occurs in association with adverse microbial composition, cervical shortening and spontaneous preterm birth
Microbial-driven spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) occurs in association with an adverse vaginal microbiome and a detrimental local immune response. Studies to date mainly analysed cervicovaginal cytokines and lack the discovery of new targets for either prediction or prevention of sPTB. To address this, we evaluated 14 complement proteins in cervicovaginal fluid and described the involvement of the classical and alternative pathways in response to vaginal bacterial community composition, prior to the onset of cervical shortening and sPTB. We show that neutrophils are the predominant leukocyte at the cervicovaginal interface, and that cervical neutrophils have a more activated phenotype compared to peripheral neutrophils, and in association with adverse microbial composition. These findings highlight the complexity of the cervicovaginal immunome in the context of sPTB and reveal the potential for targeting microbiota and immune response for improved prediction and the development of novel therapeutics.
Microbial-driven spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) occurs in association with an adverse vaginal microbiome and a detrimental local immune response. Studies to date mainly analysed cervicovaginal cytokines and lack the discovery of new targets for either prediction or prevention of sPTB. To address this, we evaluated 14 complement proteins in cervicovaginal fluid and described the involvement of the classical and alternative pathways in response to vaginal bacterial community composition, prior to the onset of cervical shortening and sPTB. We show that neutrophils are the predominant leukocyte at the cervicovaginal interface, and that cervical neutrophils have a more activated phenotype compared to peripheral neutrophils, and in association with adverse microbial composition. These findings highlight the complexity of the cervicovaginal immunome in the context of sPTB and reveal the potential for targeting microbiota and immune response for improved prediction and the development of novel therapeutics.
Imperial College London