title: Policing of gut microbiota by the adaptive immune system.
abstract: The intestinal microbiota is a large and diverse microbial community that inhabits the intestine, containing about 100 trillion bacteria of 500-1000 distinct species that, collectively, provide benefits to the host. The human gut microbiota composition is determined by a myriad of factors, among them genetic and environmental, including diet and medication. The microbiota contributes to nutrient absorption and maturation of the immune system. As reciprocity, the host immune system plays a central role in shaping the composition and localization of the intestinal microbiota. Secretory immunoglobulins A (sIgAs), component of the adaptive immune system, are important player in the protection of epithelium, and are known to have an important impact on the regulation of microbiota composition. A recent study published in Immunity by Fransen and colleagues aimed to mechanistically decipher the interrelationship between sIgA and microbiota diversity/composition. This commentary will discuss these important new findings, as well as how future therapies can ultimately benefit from such discovery.
authors: Laboratory of Liver Cell Biology, Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Dollé
authors: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
authors: Hao Q
authors: HQ
authors: Tran
authors: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Etienne-Mesmin
authors: Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Center for Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA. bchassaing@gsu.edu.
authors: Benoit
authors: B
authors: Chassaing
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044822:Biodiversity; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D017098:IgA Deficiency / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000502:physiology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A