The human microbiota is composed of all the microorganisms living symbiotically with the human body. The majority of these microorganisms reside in the gastrointestinal tract and orchestrate various aspects of host physiology, including the maturation of the immune system and intestinal health. The commensal bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, has been shown to protect from experimental colitis in mice via the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). It has been proposed that bacterial strains inhabiting the inflamed gut are able to adapt to the extreme microenvironment, and healthy individuals and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may harbor distinct strains of B. fragilis. However, it remains unknown if the inflammatory environment impairs the anti-inflammatory capacity of B. fragilis. Moreover, the current body of literature on B. fragilis immunomodulation rely primarily on the use of a single type strain, NCTC 9343, isolated from an appendix abscess. It remains unclear if the Treg-inducing property is conserved among all B. fragilis strains in the human population. Our central hypothesis is that B. fragilis strains possess a diverse potential in promoting tolerogenic responses in inflammatory environments. If successful we will unveil the functional consequence of strain-variation among commensal bacteria, as well as elucidate novel mechanisms of immune tolerance and balance in the gut.
Strain-variation within Bacteroides fragilis species shapes immunomodulatory functions
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Late Breaking Abstracts
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Date: May 4 Presentation Time: 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM Room: Exhibit Hall F1