Gardnerella vaginalis mediating fallopian tube tissue injury through a toxin

Abstract:

Objective：To explore the effect of gardnerella vaginalis（G.vaginalis） and its culture supernatant on the injury of fallopian tube tissue. Methods：Two strains of G.vaginalis were cultured in vitro. Different concentrations of bacterial suspension and sterilie bac－terial filtrate were prepared. Bacterial filtrate was repeatedly frozen thawed and inactivated. Bovine oviduct was cultured with or with－out different concentrations of bacterial suspension and processed bacterial filtrate. Ultra-high-power microscope was used to observe the cilia beating intensity and amplitude at different time points in different groups. Effects of G.vaginalis and different treatment forms of its culture supernatant on fallopian tube were determined. CD59 function antibodies and mitogen-activated protein kinase p38（p38 MAPK） pathway inhibitor was used to determine the damage process. Results：Sterile bacterial filtrate，heat treated bacterial filtrate，repeatedly frozen thawed bacterial filtrate all can cause damage to athletic ability of oviduct cilia and weaken their beating intensity and amplitude（P<0.007）. Tissue sections failed to find evidence of damage，but scanning electron microscope examination found that the number and length of the oviduct mucosal layer cilia were decreased. CD59 functional antibody and p38 MAPK path－way inhibitor can alleviate such toxins damage. Conclusions：G.vaginalis affect the function of the oviduct by a soluble toxin via CD59 dependent p38 MAPK pathway.