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Innate and acquired bacteriophage-mediated immunity

Jeremy J Barr1, Merry Youle, Forest Rohwer

  • 1Department of Biology; San Diego State University; San Diego, CA USA.

Bacteriophage
|November 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Bacteriophage T4 adheres to mucus, providing phage-mediated immunity at mucosal surfaces. This bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model suggests a symbiotic relationship benefiting both phages and their hosts.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Symbiotic relationships

Background:

  • Mucosal surfaces are primary sites for pathogen entry in metazoans.
  • Phage T4 was previously shown to adhere to mucus glycoproteins via its capsid.
  • A lytic phage-metazoan symbiosis model was previously established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To extend the bacteriophage adherence to mucus (BAM) model to in vivo dynamics.
  • To hypothesize the impact of mucus-adherent phages (lytic and temperate) on microbiota and host protection.
  • To explore BAM's role in innate and acquired antimicrobial immunity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and theoretical modeling.
  • Extension of the existing BAM model.
  • Hypothetical analysis of phage-host-microbiota interactions.

Main Results:

  • The BAM model was extended to encompass in vivo conditions.
  • Hypotheses were formulated regarding the influence of mucus-adherent phages on commensal microbiota.
  • Potential roles of BAM in both innate and acquired immunity were proposed.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage adherence to mucus is a significant factor in host-microbe interactions.
  • Mucus-adherent phages, both lytic and temperate, may modulate the microbiota and protect the host epithelium.
  • The BAM model offers a framework for understanding phage-mediated mucosal immunity.
Keywords:
bacteriophageimmune systemlysogenlyticmucusphage

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