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Effect of 17β-estradiol on a human vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus strain.
- Source :
-
Scientific reports [Sci Rep] 2021 Mar 30; Vol. 11 (1), pp. 7133. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 30. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Lactobacilli and estrogens play essential roles in vaginal homeostasis. We investigated the potential direct effect of 17β-estradiol on a vaginal strain of Lactobacillus crispatus, the major bacterial species of the vaginal microbiota. 17β-estradiol (10 <superscript>-6</superscript> to 10 <superscript>-10</superscript>  M) had no effect on L. crispatus growth, but markedly affected the membrane dynamics of this bacterium. This effect appeared consistent with a signal transduction process. The surface polarity and aggregation potential of the bacterium were unaffected by exposure to 17β-estradiol, but its mean size was significantly reduced. 17β-estradiol also promoted biosurfactant production by L. crispatus and adhesion to vaginal VK2/E6E7 cells, but had little effect on bacterial biofilm formation activity. Bioinformatic analysis of L. crispatus identified a membrane lipid raft-associated stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflK domain containing protein as a potential 17β-estradiol binding site. Overall, our results reveal direct effects of 17β-estradiol on L. crispatus. These effects are of potential importance in the physiology of the vaginal environment, through the promotion of lactobacillus adhesion to the mucosa and protection against pathogens.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2045-2322
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Scientific reports
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33785829
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86628-x