Journal
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE-LANDMARK
Volume 15, Issue -, Pages 25-34Publisher
FRONTIERS IN BIOSCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.2741/3603
Keywords
Bacteroides fragilis; Colitis; Commensal; Germ-free; IL-10; Immune development; Polysaccharide; Th1; Th2; Th17; Review
Categories
Funding
- NIH [NIH/NIAID AI-39576]
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES [T32AI007061, R01AI039576, R21AI039576] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
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Bacterial colonization of the intestine is critical for the normal function of the mammalian immune system. However, the specific molecules produced by commensal bacteria that contribute to the modulation of the host immune system are largely uncharacterized. Polysaccharide A (PSA) produced by the ubiquitous human commensal, Bacteroides fragilis is a model symbiosis factor. PSA is capable of activating T cell-dependent immune responses that can affect both the development and homeostasis of the host immune system. Colonization of previously germ-free mice with B. fragilis alone is sufficient to correct the splenic Th1/Th2 imbalance found in germ-free mice. In addition, PSA can provide protection in animal models of colitis through repression of proinflammatory cytokines associated with the Th17 lineage. This review provides an overview of the immunologic properties of PSA including the mechanisms of immune system activation and the resulting immunomodulatory effects.
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