How do immune responses control microbial gene expression?

Commensal microbiota provide protection from bacterial infections. However, when the body's control mechanisms are disrupted, microbial gene expression may be altered, ultimately changing bacterial behavior and localization.

High levels of bacterial flagellar protein are associated with gut mucosal barrier breakdown. Using mice deficient in Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), researchers found that innate and adaptive immunity interact to modulate the microbiome’s production of flagella, and the flagella of gut commensal bacteria stimulate TLR5 (Cullender, T.C. et al. (2013) Cell Host Microbe 14, 571).

Posted by Tim Sandle