Current findings in endometrial microbiome: impact on uterine diseases

Abstract

Microbiome or microbiota is essential to regulate many mammalian physiological processes, including reproduction. Like other organs or tissues, the upper female reproductive tract used to be considered as devoid of microorganisms; however, a non-infection-related bacterial community was discovered in the uterus from humans and other mammals, and its composition is related to reproductive success. The dysbiosis of endometrial microbiota is associated with benign and malign uterine diseases. Hence, this review addressed the current knowledge about uterine microbiota alterations and their association with common endometrial diseases, including endometrial polyposis, endometriosis, uterine myomatosis, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial cancer. There is a specific bacterial community in the endometrium in the most-analyzed uterine diseases. However, the constant finding consists in a reduced abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, while there is an increased abundance of Proteobacteria (such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus), Bacteroidetes (Prevotella, for example), and Actinobacteria (as Gardnerella), in contrast to healthy endometrium. Besides, we discussed the future usefulness of the endometrial microbiota components as biomarkers to diagnose uterine diseases and their probable clinical outcomes. In addition, we analyzed their potential use as probiotics since they could provide an alternative or complement to existing therapies.