Use of cervicovaginal fluid for the identification of biomarkers for pathologies of the female genital tract

This review provides a detailed discussion about the human cervicovaginal proteome and the proteomics studies performed to characterize this biological fluid. Furthermore, infection-correlated pathological conditions of the female genital tract are discussed for which cervicovaginal fluid has been used in order to identify potential biomarkers. Recent years, numerous studies have analyzed cervicovaginal fluid samples utilizing antibody-based technologies, such as ELISA or Western blotting, to identify biomarkers for preterm birth, premature preterm rupture of membranes, bacterial vaginosis and cervical cancer. The present article will discuss the importance of proteomic technologies as alternative techniques to gain additional meaningful information about these conditions. In addition, the review focuses on recent proteomic studies on cervicovaginal fluid samples for the identification of potential biomarkers. We conclude that the use of proteomic technology for analysis of human cervicovaginal fluid samples is promising and may lead to the discovery of new biomarkers which can improve disease prevention and therapy development.The female genital tract is characterized by a unique immunologic micro-environment. It is essential for human reproduction that the immune system of the female genital tract is modulated correctly as it needs to tolerate the presence of sperm and fertilized oocytes without starting an immune reaction. Nevertheless, a strong immune system in the genital tract is very important to protect the interior organs and the fetus or embryo against the large pathogenic stress [1]. This obligation of a dual immune system, one that tolerates and one that reacts efficiently, is a biological challenge. Failure to successfully accomplish this challenge can lead to specific gynecopathological conditions which eventually may result in severe complications.The lower female genital tract (vagina and ectocervix) is lined with a protective non-keratinized stratif