Endometrial microbiota alteration in female patients with endometrial polyps based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2024 Apr 9:14:1351329. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1351329. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Introduction: The potential role of the endometrial microbiota in the pathogenesis of endometrial polyps (EPs) warrants further investigation, given the current landscape of limited and inconclusive research findings. We aimed to explore the microecological characteristics of the uterine cavity in patients with EPs and investigate the potential of endometrial microbiota species as novel biomarkers for identifying EPs.

Methods: Endometrial samples were collected from 225 patients who underwent hysteroscopies, of whom 167 had EPs, whereas 58 had non- hyperproliferative endometrium status. The endometrial microbiota was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We characterized the endometrial microbiota and identified microbial biomarkers for predicting EPs.

Results: The endometrial microbial diversity and composition were significantly different between the EP and control groups. Predictive functional analyses of the endometrial microbiota demonstrated significant alterations in pathways involved in sphingolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and apoptosis between the two groups. Moreover, a classification model based on endometrial microbial ASV-based biomarkers along with the presence of abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms achieved powerful classification potential in identifying EPs in both the discovery and validation cohorts.

Conclusion: Our study indicates a potential association between altered endometrial microbiota and EPs. Endometrial microbiota-based biomarkers may prove valuable for the diagnosis of EPs.

Clinical trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100052746).

Keywords: endometrial polyp; 16S rRNA; biomarker; endometrial microbiota; predictive model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bacteria / classification
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Biomarkers
  • Endometrium* / microbiology
  • Endometrium* / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Microbiota* / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyps* / microbiology
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S* / genetics
  • Uterine Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC grant No. 81802593 to YL), the Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Program for Young Talents (grant No. 2019RC197 to YL), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (grant No. K20220025 to YZ), the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province (grant No. LGF22H040011 to YW), the Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Department-Zhejiang Province Joint Key Project (grant No. GZY-ZJ-KJ-24084 to YW), and the National Health Commission Science Research Fund - Zhejiang Province Major Health and Technology Project (grant No. WKJ-ZJ-2430 to YW) which contributed to the successful completion of the study.