Scientific Reports (Mar 2021)

Effect of 17β-estradiol on a human vaginal Lactobacillus crispatus strain

  • Maximilien Clabaut,
  • Amandine Suet,
  • Pierre-Jean Racine,
  • Ali Tahrioui,
  • Julien Verdon,
  • Magalie Barreau,
  • Olivier Maillot,
  • Agathe Le Tirant,
  • Madina Karsybayeva,
  • Coralie Kremser,
  • Gérard Redziniak,
  • Cécile Duclairoir-Poc,
  • Chantal Pichon,
  • Sylvie Chevalier,
  • Marc G. J. Feuilloley

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86628-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Lactobacilli and estrogens play essential roles in vaginal homeostasis. We investigated the potential direct effect of 17β-estradiol on a vaginal strain of Lactobacillus crispatus, the major bacterial species of the vaginal microbiota. 17β-estradiol (10–6 to 10–10 M) had no effect on L. crispatus growth, but markedly affected the membrane dynamics of this bacterium. This effect appeared consistent with a signal transduction process. The surface polarity and aggregation potential of the bacterium were unaffected by exposure to 17β-estradiol, but its mean size was significantly reduced. 17β-estradiol also promoted biosurfactant production by L. crispatus and adhesion to vaginal VK2/E6E7 cells, but had little effect on bacterial biofilm formation activity. Bioinformatic analysis of L. crispatus identified a membrane lipid raft–associated stomatin/prohibitin/flotillin/HflK domain containing protein as a potential 17β-estradiol binding site. Overall, our results reveal direct effects of 17β-estradiol on L. crispatus. These effects are of potential importance in the physiology of the vaginal environment, through the promotion of lactobacillus adhesion to the mucosa and protection against pathogens.