Research progress in the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of probiotics in HPV infection

Abstract:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major global health challenge closely related to diseases such as cervical cancer. At present, there is no effective treatment for HPV, and thus it is essential to develop new antiviral biological agents to reduce the harm of HPV infection. Recent studies have revealed a complex relationship between HPV infection and the human microbiome, suggesting that HPV infection can disrupt the balance of the microbiome and cause immune dysfunction in the body. In recent years, studies have found that oral or topical use of specific probiotic strains can reduce HPV titers in patients and prevent viral infection-related cancers, demonstrating probiotics as a new class of anti-HPV preparations with a development value. From the molecular biological characteristics of HPV, this article systematically summarizes the pathogenic mechanism of HPV infection and explains the antiviral mechanisms of probiotics from four perspectives: inhibiting virus replication, regulating immune responses, enhancing the mucosal barrier function, and reshaping the human microbiome. This review aims to provide theoretical references for the efficient breeding and mechanism analysis of anti-HPV probiotics.