Microbiome-metabolome analysis reveals cervical lesion alterations
Hanjie Xu1, Lou Liu1, Feng Xu1
1Department of gynaecology, the Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi 214000, China.
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica
|October 21, 2022
Summary
Cervical cancer development is linked to changes in vaginal microbiome diversity and metabolites. Declining Lactobacillus and altered lipid/organic acid pathways signal disease progression, aiding early detection.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Microbiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cervical cancer (CC) is a significant global health concern for women.
- Cervical carcinogenesis is a slow process, developing over years from precancerous lesions.
- Local microecology is increasingly recognized as a key factor in carcinogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cervicovaginal microecological and metabolic changes during cervical carcinogenesis.
- To identify differential microbial and metabolic biomarkers associated with cervical cancer progression.
- To explore the potential of microecologic and metabolomic profiling for early cervical cancer detection.
Main Methods:
- 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis of cervicovaginal fluid.
- Comparison of samples from healthy controls, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and cervical cancer (CC) patients.
- KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to identify altered metabolic pathways.
Main Results:
- Cervical carcinogenesis is associated with altered microbiome diversity, including significant shifts in Lactobacillus, Prevotella, and Aquabacterium.
- Increased bacterial diversity and decreased Lactobacillus abundance correlate with advancing cervical lesions.
- Metabolomic analysis revealed changes in lipids, organic acids, and the phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathway.
Conclusions:
- Microbiome and metabolomic profiling can differentiate cervical cancer from precancerous conditions.
- Specific microorganisms and metabolites show potential as biomarkers for early detection of cervical dysplasia.
- These findings suggest a potential diagnostic tool to aid in cervical cancer diagnosis.
