The continuum of intestinal CD4+ T cell adaptations in host-microbial mutualism.

Abstract

How a mutualistic relationship between the intestinal microbiota and intestinal T cell compartments is established is important, as a breakdown of intestinal T cell homeostasis may cause inflammatory bowel diseases. A number of studies have shown that different bacterial species modulate the intestinal CD4(+) T cell compartment in different ways. We performed mechanistic in vivo studies that demonstrated the crucial requirement for regulatory T cells (Treg) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the induction of intestinal T cell homeostasis even following colonization with a completely benign microbiota. In the absence of a functional Treg response or IL-10 receptor signaling, the same bacteria that induced a Treg response in wild-type animals now induced T helper type 17 responses, without intestinal inflammation. Therefore, Treg, IL-10 and Th17 are crucial regulatory mechanisms in the intestine not only for controlling inflammation, but also to establish a continuum of CD4(+) T cell homeostasis upon commensal colonization.

• Authors: Markus B Geuking, Kathy D McCoy, Andrew J Macpherson
• Journal: Gut microbes (Gut Microbes) 2011 Nov-Dec Vol. 2 Issue 6 Pg. 353-7 ISSN: 1949-0984 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22157235 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• IL10 protein, mouse
• Interleukin-10

Topics

• Adaptation, Physiological
• Animals
• Bacteroides (growth & development, immunology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Homeostasis
• Immunity, Cellular
• Immunity, Mucosal
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (immunology, microbiology)
• Interleukin-10 (immunology)
• Intestines (immunology, microbiology)
• Lactobacillus (growth & development, immunology)
• Metagenome
• Mice
• Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms (immunology)
• Symbiosis
• T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory (immunology, microbiology)
• Th17 Cells (immunology, microbiology)