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Characteristic changes in microbial community composition and expression of innate immune genes in acute appendicitis

Alexander Arlt1, Richa Bharti2, Imre Ilves3

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany aarlt@1med.uni-kiel.de.

Innate Immunity
|December 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Acute appendicitis involves altered bacterial diversity and immune system dysregulation. Key antimicrobial peptides and immune response regulators show significant changes in inflamed appendix tissues.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Appendicitis is a common gastrointestinal illness with limited understanding of its underlying pathophysiology.
  • The role of innate immune responses and microbial changes in acute appendicitis remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the differential regulation of innate immune responses in acute appendicitis.
  • To analyze changes in bacterial community composition within inflamed appendix tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time PCR analysis of inflamed and normal appendix tissue samples.
  • Detection of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), NOD-2, TLRs, IL-1β, and IL-8 expression.
  • 16S rDNA-based techniques to assess microbial community composition.

Main Results:

  • Differential expression of epithelial-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including up-regulation of α-defensins (HD5, HD6) and β-defensins (hBD-2, hBD-3), and down-regulation of hBD-1.
  • Significant increase in the expression of upstream regulators of AMPs, such as NOD-2 and Toll-like receptors (TLRs 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10).
  • Confirmation of pro-inflammatory cytokine involvement (IL-1β, IL-8) and altered bacterial diversity in appendicitis specimens.

Conclusions:

  • Acute appendicitis is characterized by significant dysregulation of the innate immune system.
  • Altered bacterial diversity is a key feature of acute appendicitis, alongside specific changes in immune mediator expression.
Keywords:
Antimicrobial peptidesappendicitisdefensinsinflammationinnate immunitymicrobial community

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