Role of cervicovaginal microbiome and metabolome in ALA-PDT-mediated HPV clearance in patients with cervical HSIL
摘要
The cervicovaginal microbiome and its associated metabolites play a pivotal role in the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Here, we investigated the contribution of the cervicovaginal microbiome and metabolome to 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT)-mediated HPV clearance in patients with cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing analysis identified significant differences in cervicovaginal microbiota before ALA-PDT between the HPV clearance and non-clearance groups. The HPV non-clearance group exhibited higher abundances of Anaerococcus and Gemella. ALA-PDT exerted a more substantial impact on cervicovaginal microbiota diversity in the HPV clearance group, characterized by increased abundances of Finegoldia, Corynebacterium, Lancefieldella, and Winkia, and a decreased abundance of Anaeroglobus following treatment. Global untargeted metabolomics analysis further revealed distinct cervicovaginal metabolic profiles before ALA-PDT between the two groups. The pathways of mineral absorption and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis were significantly enriched in the HPV clearance group. Alterations in cervicovaginal metabolic profiles following ALA-PDT were also observed. Moreover, several key differential metabolites were observed to be significantly correlated with Anaeroglobus. Our findings underscore the critical involvement of the cervicovaginal microbiome and metabolome in ALA-PDT-mediated HPV clearance, providing valuable clues for predicting and improving the effect of HPV clearance following ALA-PDT.