In:
Infection and Immunity, American Society for Microbiology, Vol. 90, No. 1 ( 2022-01-25)
Abstract:
The gut microbiota has emerged as a critical player in host health. Bacteroides fragilis is a prominent member of the gut microbiota within the phyla Bacteroidetes. This commensal bacterium produces unique capsular polysaccharides processed by antigen-presenting cells and activates CD4 + T cells to secrete inflammatory cytokines. Indeed, due to their immunomodulatory functions, B. fragilis and its capsular polysaccharide-A (PSA) are arguably the most explored single commensal microbiota/symbiotic factor. B. fragilis / PSA has been shown to protect against colitis, encephalomyelitis, colorectal cancer, pulmonary inflammation, and asthma. Here, we review recent data on the immunomodulatory role of B. fragilis /PSA during viral infections and therapy, B. fragilis PSA’s dual ability to mediate pro-and anti-inflammatory processes, and the potential for exploring this unique characteristic during intracellular bacterial infections such as with Mycobacterium tuberculosis . We also discuss the protective roles of single commensal-derived probiotic species, including B. fragilis in lung inflammation and respiratory infections that may provide essential cues for possible exploration of microbiota based/augmented therapies in tuberculosis (TB). Available data on the relationship between B. fragilis / PSA, the immune system, and disease suggest clinical relevance for developing B. fragilis into a next-generation probiotic or, possibly, the engineering of PSA into a potent carbohydrate-based vaccine.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0019-9567
,
1098-5522
DOI:
10.1128/IAI.00321-21
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society for Microbiology
Publication Date:
2022
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1483247-1
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