What comparative genomics taught us about the vaginal commensal Lactobacillus crispatus
Published in Microbiology
Well, by the use of cultivation techniques, my research team was able to demonstrate the transition from a dysbiotic vaginal microbiota (DVM) obtained from a vaginal swab to a ‘healthy’ bacterial community dominated by lactobacilli (LVM). A dysbiotic vaginal microbiota, also known as bacterial vaginosis (BV), is a highly diverse bacterial population depleted from Lactobacillus. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with an increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV, decreased fertility rates, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. All we need to do next is to disperse the obtained population of vaginal bacteria – note this well - the woman’s own bacteria into a vaginal gel and use this for a personalised BV-treatment.
Too good to be true? The first cracks appeared when I was drinking a cocktail on the roof garden after my talk at the conference reception and an expert in the field approached me. ‘Very nice story’, he said, ‘but your idea will never work’. I swirled the content of my glass as if the sound generated by the ice blocks in my cocktail would act as some kind of spell to blow away his last words. He continued ‘The lactobacilli you are cultivating from the host have lost the ability to dominate the microbial population. The problem is in their genes. Their population will never sustain in vivo’. I took another sip of my Martini on the rocks and assured the expert that I was definitely going to look into this. And so we did. In the laboratory, we selected Lactobacillus crispatus strains from a dysbiotic vaginal microbiota (DVM) and Lactobacillus dominated microbiota (LVM) and systematically checked for differences in the two groups of strains by comparative genomics.
What appeared to be the case? To our big surprise this was not about LVM-strains losing a genetic property, it was about the DVM-strains gaining one. We found a novel glycosyltransferase gene that was more prevalent among strains isolated from DVM. All speculation at this point, nonetheless this could indicate that, as the vaginal niche in a dysbiotic state is under immune pressure, this gene mediates variation in cell surface glycoconjugates. In other words, this gene encodes for the ability of Lactobacillus crispatus to change its coat making the bacterium invisible to the immune system. A selective advantage for survival under these conditions. Thus, if this appears to be true, the expert is half right. Simple enrichment by cultivation in the lab will not work. We will need to deliberately select for L. crispatus strains containing the glycosyltransferase gene allowing the transition from an inflammatory state of bacterial vaginosis to a Lactobacillus-dominated state. This new insight resulted from a clever comment by an expert at a conference five years ago and the fantastic effort of the researchers who took part in this investigation. Our research appeared in the open access journal Microbiome earlier this week.
Reference
Kort R. Personalized therapy with probiotics from the host by TripleA. Trends Biotechnol. 2014 Jun;32(6):291-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.04.002.
Follow the Topic
-
Microbiome
This journal hopes to integrate researchers with common scientific objectives across a broad cross-section of sub-disciplines within microbial ecology. It covers studies of microbiomes colonizing humans, animals, plants or the environment, both built and natural or manipulated, as in agriculture.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Animal Gut Nutrition and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation
Animal Microbiome, Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology and Microbiome call for submissions to the collection on Animal Gut Nutrition and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation.
Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems increasingly hinge on innovations in animal gut nutrition. The dynamic relationship between the gut microbiome and nutrient utilization plays a pivotal role in shaping methane output, feed efficiency, and overall sustainability. Advances in microbial ecology—particularly in understanding the role of gut microbiome in nutrient metabolism—are opening new pathways for mitigating emissions while enhancing productivity. These developments support the implementation of climate-smart agricultural strategies to address climate change and its impacts.
Looking ahead, continued research in this field has the potential to yield innovative solutions such as targeted probiotic supplementation, which could further optimize gut function and enhance nutrient absorption. These advancements may lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions while improving animal health and productivity. By deepening our understanding of the animal gut microbiome, we can contribute significantly to sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and food security.
We invite researchers to contribute to this special Collection on Animal Gut Nutrition and Greenhouse Gas Mitigation. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Animal Gut Microbiome and Feed Efficiency
- Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Strategies
- Rumen Fermentation Dynamics
- Nutrient Utilization in Livestock
- Probiotic Supplementation Effects
- Sustainable Livestock Production Practices
- Climate-Smart Agriculture Innovations
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 13, Climate action.
All submissions in this collection undergo the relevant journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief of the relevant journal. As an open access publication, participating journals levy an article processing fee (Animal Microbiome fees, Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology fees, Microbiome fees). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief of the journal where the article is being submitted.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Sep 04, 2026
Oncobiome
This collection of papers delves into the burgeoning field of oncobiome research, exploring the intricate relationship between cancer and the microbiome. The oncobiome encompasses the diverse microbial communities residing in and on the human body, which influence cancer development, progression, and treatment responses. By examining these interactions, our aim is to unravel the complex mechanisms through which the microbiome impacts oncogenesis and therapeutic outcomes.
This compilation highlights cutting-edge research, offering insights into potential diagnostic markers and novel therapeutic strategies, thereby advancing our understanding of cancer biology and paving the way for innovative, microbiome-targeted cancer treatments.
This is a cross-journal collection between:
Experimental Hematology and Oncology
Articles will undergo the standard peer-review process of the journal to which they are submitted and are subject to either the BMC editorial policies or those of BJC Reports. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published. The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Ongoing
Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in
The glycosyltransferase could also change phage sensitivity
Yes, excellent idea. Could be very interesting to have a look the role of bacteriophages in a student project - would be willing to share the strains (and source of bacteriophages).