Vaginal host immune-microbiome-metabolite interactions associated with spontaneous preterm birth in a predominantly white cohort

Abstract In order to improve spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) risk stratification in a predominantly white cohort of non-labouring pregnant women, we analysed their vaginal microbiota, metabolite, cytokine and foetal fibronectin (FFN) concentrations at two gestational time points (GTPs): GTP1 (20+0–...

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Main Authors: Megan Cavanagh, Emmanuel Amabebe, Neha S. Kulkarni, Maria D. Papageorgiou, Heather Walker, Matthew D. Wyles, Dilly O. Anumba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00671-4
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Summary:Abstract In order to improve spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) risk stratification in a predominantly white cohort of non-labouring pregnant women, we analysed their vaginal microbiota, metabolite, cytokine and foetal fibronectin (FFN) concentrations at two gestational time points (GTPs): GTP1 (20+0–22+6 weeks, preterm = 17; term = 32); and GTP2 (26+0–28+6 weeks, preterm = 14; term = 31). At GTP1, the preterm-delivered women showed abundant G. vaginalis (AUC = 0.77) over L. crispatus and L. iners, and upregulation of 10 metabolites. At GTP2, the same women had more lactobacilli- and mixed anaerobes-dominated microbiota, upregulation of five metabolites, and decreased TNFR1, distinguishing them from their term counterparts (AUC = 0.88). From GTP1 to GTP2, sPTB was associated with increased microbiota α-diversity, and upregulation of pantothenate and urate. CXCL10 declined in the term-delivered women by ~3-fold, but increased in the preterm-delivered women (AUC = 0.68), enhanced by FFN (AUC = 0.74). Characterising the complex dynamic interactions between cervicovaginal microbial metabolites and host immune responses could enhance sPTB risk stratification.
ISSN:2055-5008