Data from: Vaginal bacteria-derived extracellular vesicles diffuse through human cervicovaginal mucus to enable microbe-host signaling

The composition of the vaginal microenvironment has significant
implications for gynecologic and obstetric outcomes. Where a
Lactobacillus-dominated microenvironment is considered optimal, a
polymicrobial environment is associated with increased risk for female
reproductive diseases. Recent work examined bacteria-derived extracellular
vesicles (bEVs) as an important mode of microbe-host communication that
may influence reproductive outcomes. However, in order to communicate with
female reproductive tissues, bEVs must penetrate the protective
cervicovaginal mucus barrier. We demonstrate increased diffusion of bEVs
compared to whole bacteria. Additionally, we evaluate the uptake of bEVs
by, and the resulting effects on, human vaginal epithelial, endometrial,
and placental cells, highlighting potential mechanisms of action by which
vaginal dysbiosis contributes to gynecologic and obstetric diseases. Taken
together, our work demonstrates the ability of bEVs to mediate female
reproductive outcomes and highlights their potential as therapeutic
modalities for treating dysbiosis and dysbiosis-associated diseases in the
female reproductive tract.