Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
Published on: June 30, 2021
Cooperativity among secretory IgA, the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, and the gut microbiota promotes
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, 203 Combs Cancer Research Building, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, United States.
Abstract:
Secretory IgA (SIgA) antibodies in the intestinal tract form the first line of antigen-specific immune defense, preventing access of pathogens as well as commensal microbes to the body proper. SIgA is transported into external secretions by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Evidence is reported here that the gut microbiota regulates production of SIgA and pIgR, which act together to regulate the composition and activity of the microbiota. SIgA in the intestinal mucus layer helps to maintain spatial segregation between the microbiota and the epithelial surface without compromising the metabolic activity of the microbes. Products shed by members of the microbial community promote production of SIgA and pIgR by activating pattern recognition receptors on host epithelial and immune cells. Maternal SIgA in breast milk provides protection to newborn mammals until the developing intestinal immune system begins to produce its own SIgA. Disruption of the SIgA-pIgR-microbial triad can increase the risk of infectious, allergic and inflammatory diseases of the intestine.
More Related Videos
08:24Injections of Lipopolysaccharide into Mice to Mimic Entrance of Microbial-derived Products After Intestinal Barrier Breach
Published on: May 2, 2018
07:34Induction of Intestinal Inflammation by Adoptive Transfer of CBir1 TCR Transgenic CD4+ T Cells to Immunodeficient Mice
Published on: December 16, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Functions of the Gut Microbiota
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation
The Oral Microbiota
Microbial Interactions: Mutualism
Microbiota of the Large Intestine