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Influenza Virus Affects Intestinal Microbiota and Secondary Salmonella Infection in the Gut through Type I

Elisa Deriu1, Gayle M Boxx1, Xuesong He2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.

Plos Pathogens
|May 6, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Influenza infection impacts the gut microbiome via lung-derived type I interferons (IFN-Is). These interferons disrupt gut bacteria, impair host defenses, and worsen Salmonella infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Human influenza viruses primarily infect the respiratory tract but can cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
  • The molecular mechanisms linking pulmonary influenza infection to gut disturbances are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how pulmonary influenza infection affects the intestinal microbiota.
  • To elucidate the role of type I interferons (IFN-Is) in mediating these effects.
  • To determine the impact of influenza-induced IFN-Is on gut immunity during secondary Salmonella infection.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a mouse model of influenza pulmonary infection.
  • Analyzed changes in intestinal microbiota composition.
  • Assessed the role of type I interferons (IFN-Is) in mediating microbial shifts.
  • Investigated the effect of influenza-induced IFN-Is on host immune responses during Salmonella-induced colitis.

Main Results:

  • Influenza pulmonary infection significantly altered the intestinal microbiota profile in a type I interferon (IFN-I)-dependent manner.
  • Influenza-induced lung IFN-Is led to depletion of anaerobic bacteria and enrichment of Proteobacteria in the gut, causing dysbiosis.
  • Lung-derived IFN-Is inhibited gut antimicrobial and inflammatory responses during Salmonella-induced colitis.
  • This inhibition enhanced Salmonella intestinal colonization and systemic dissemination.

Conclusions:

  • Type I interferons (IFN-Is) play a systemic role in modulating the gut immune response during Salmonella-induced colitis.
  • Influenza infection-induced IFN-Is disrupt the intestinal microbial balance.
  • Pulmonary influenza infection can compromise gut immunity, increasing susceptibility to enteric pathogens.

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