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
