The co-regulation of HPV infection by vaginal microbiota and the immune system.

Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection is the most critical risk factor for cervical cancer. The vaginal microbiota and the host immune status are both closely related to HPV infection. The vaginal microbiota regulates multiple immune signaling pathways. Conversely, the immune status also affects the stability of the microbiota. The two interact with each other and jointly regulate the outcome of HPV infection. Establishing a tripartite coordinated regulatory mechanism model involving the microbiota, immune system, and HPV will facilitate the development of individualized predictive models in the future, identification of precise intervention targets, and maximization of HPV clearance.