Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent gynaecological disease characterised by vaginal wall inflammation that is caused by <i>Candida</i> species. VVC impacts almost three-quarters of all women throughout their reproductive years. As the vaginal mucosa is the first point of contac...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/6/618 |
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| author | Subatrra Nair Balakrishnan Haizat Yamang Michael C. Lorenz Shu Yih Chew Leslie Thian Lung Than |
| author_facet | Subatrra Nair Balakrishnan Haizat Yamang Michael C. Lorenz Shu Yih Chew Leslie Thian Lung Than |
| author_sort | Subatrra Nair Balakrishnan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent gynaecological disease characterised by vaginal wall inflammation that is caused by <i>Candida</i> species. VVC impacts almost three-quarters of all women throughout their reproductive years. As the vaginal mucosa is the first point of contact with microbes, vaginal epithelial cells are the first line of defence against opportunistic <i>Candida</i> infection by providing a physical barrier and mounting immunological responses. The mechanisms of defence against this infection are displayed through the rapid shedding of epithelial cells, the presence of pattern recognition receptors, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. The bacterial microbiota within the mucosal layer presents another form of defence mechanism within the vagina through acidic pH regulation, the release of antifungal peptides and physiological control against dysbiosis. The significant role of the microbiota in maintaining vaginal health promotes its application as one of the potential treatment modalities against VVC with the hope of alleviating the burden of VVC, especially the recurrent disease. This review discusses and summarises current progress in understanding the role of vaginal mucosa and host immunity upon infection, together with the function of vaginal microbiota in VVC. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:48:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f98d8ee6f6474f5c9a8f15f0bf6ff11b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:48:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj.art-f98d8ee6f6474f5c9a8f15f0bf6ff11b2023-11-23T18:24:09ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172022-05-0111661810.3390/pathogens11060618Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal CandidiasisSubatrra Nair Balakrishnan0Haizat Yamang1Michael C. Lorenz2Shu Yih Chew3Leslie Thian Lung Than4Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43300, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43300, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX 77030, USADepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43300, Selangor, MalaysiaDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43300, Selangor, MalaysiaVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a prevalent gynaecological disease characterised by vaginal wall inflammation that is caused by <i>Candida</i> species. VVC impacts almost three-quarters of all women throughout their reproductive years. As the vaginal mucosa is the first point of contact with microbes, vaginal epithelial cells are the first line of defence against opportunistic <i>Candida</i> infection by providing a physical barrier and mounting immunological responses. The mechanisms of defence against this infection are displayed through the rapid shedding of epithelial cells, the presence of pattern recognition receptors, and the release of inflammatory cytokines. The bacterial microbiota within the mucosal layer presents another form of defence mechanism within the vagina through acidic pH regulation, the release of antifungal peptides and physiological control against dysbiosis. The significant role of the microbiota in maintaining vaginal health promotes its application as one of the potential treatment modalities against VVC with the hope of alleviating the burden of VVC, especially the recurrent disease. This review discusses and summarises current progress in understanding the role of vaginal mucosa and host immunity upon infection, together with the function of vaginal microbiota in VVC.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/6/618host immune responsepattern recognition receptors (PRRs)vulvovaginal candidiasisvaginal mucosavaginal microbiota |
| spellingShingle | Subatrra Nair Balakrishnan Haizat Yamang Michael C. Lorenz Shu Yih Chew Leslie Thian Lung Than Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis Pathogens host immune response pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) vulvovaginal candidiasis vaginal mucosa vaginal microbiota |
| title | Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis |
| title_full | Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis |
| title_fullStr | Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis |
| title_short | Role of Vaginal Mucosa, Host Immunity and Microbiota in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis |
| title_sort | role of vaginal mucosa host immunity and microbiota in vulvovaginal candidiasis |
| topic | host immune response pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) vulvovaginal candidiasis vaginal mucosa vaginal microbiota |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/11/6/618 |
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