Tending a complex microbiota requires major immune complexity
Keaton Stagaman1, Karen Guillemin, Kathryn Milligan-Myhre
1Institute of Ecology and Evolution, 5289 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, 97403, USA.
Molecular Ecology
|September 30, 2014
Summary
Host genetics influence gut microbes. The study found that variations in major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) alleles correlate with gut microbial community diversity in stickleback fish.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Animals host complex gut microbial communities vital for health.
- Host genetics, diet, and immune factors shape these microbial communities.
- The specific role of host genetics in gut microbiota establishment remains an open question.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of host genetic variation on gut microbial communities.
- To explore the role of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) in shaping gut microbiota.
- To examine the correlation between MHCII allele diversity and microbial community diversity in stickleback.
Main Methods:
- Sampling gut microbial communities from 150 genetically diverse stickleback fish.
- Analyzing the diversity of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) alleles.
- Correlating variations in MHCII allele diversity with gut microbial community composition.
Main Results:
- Identified natural, interindividual variation in both stickleback MHCII alleles and their gut microbial communities.
- Demonstrated a correlation between changes in MHCII receptor allele diversity and alterations in the gut microbiota.
- Provided evidence for MHCII's role in shaping the gut microbiota of Gasterosteus aculeatus.
Conclusions:
- Host immune genes, specifically MHCII, play a role in structuring the gut microbiota.
- Genetic diversity in MHCII influences the composition of the gut microbial community.
- This study highlights the interplay between host genetics and microbial ecology in natural populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
138
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
138
01:27Microbiota of the Large Intestine
89
The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
89
01:22Microbiome of the Eye
66
The human eye has a specialized microbiota that reflects its unique anatomical and immunological environment. This low-biomass microbial community predominantly colonizes the conjunctiva and eyelid margins, playing a vital role in ocular surface homeostasis and defense. Despite its proximity to the richly colonized facial skin, the ocular surface maintains a distinct microbial profile due to continuous mechanical and biochemical defense mechanisms.The conjunctival surface hosts fewer microbial...
66
01:18Functions of the Gut Microbiota
119
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
119
01:27The Skin Microbiota
110
The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
110
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
58
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
58