Peptidomic Analysis of Female Reproductive Tract Secretion to Identify Putative Anti-Infection Peptides in the Female Genital System via Nanotechnologies

The female genital system infections have high-incidence among various gynecological diseases. The role of endogenous peptides in female reproductive tract secretion has been rarely investigated regarding gynecological infections. To identify gynecological infections associated endogenous peptides, a comparative peptidomic profiling of vaginal secretion from sexually mature and perimenopause women was conducted in this study using nanoflow liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. A total of 3096 peptide fragments originating from 1364 precursor proteins were identified, 102 of which were discrepantly expressed, which included 60 over-expressed peptides and 42 under-expressed peptides in the sexually mature group compared with the perimenopause group. 6 differentially expressed bioactive peptides were identified to be related to immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). MUC4, MUC5A, MUC5B, MUC6, MUC17 and MUC19 peptides originating from mucin family were identified to enhance vaginal mucous immunity against infections. Moreover, with remarkable development of biomedical nanotechnology, the identified potential anti-infection peptides in our study will be useful in diagnosis and treatment of gynecological infections, especially when combined with nanoparticles. In conclusion, our findings will fill the gap on peptidomics for female genital system infections and pave the way for future studies about reproductive tract diseases management.