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Immunological Consequences of Intestinal Fungal Dysbiosis

Matthew L Wheeler1, Jose J Limon1, Agnieszka S Bar1

  • 1F. Widjaja Foundation Inflammatory Bowel and Immunobiology Research Institute, and the Division of Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|May 31, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The gut fungal microbiota plays a crucial role in immune function. Disrupting these fungi with antifungal drugs worsens inflammatory diseases like colitis and allergic airway disease in mice.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The role of fungi in the gut microbiota is less understood than bacteria.
  • Commensal fungi may influence host immune responses and disease development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of gut fungal communities on immune function and disease.
  • To determine if disrupting the fungal microbiota affects inflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were treated with antifungal drugs to alter gut fungal populations.
  • Disease severity in models of colitis and allergic airway disease was assessed.
  • Microbiota profiling was used to analyze fungal and bacterial community changes.

Main Results:

  • Antifungal drug treatment increased disease severity in colitis and allergic airway models.
  • Fungal community restructuring occurred, with decreased Candida and increased Aspergillus, Wallemia, and Epicoccum.
  • Supplementation with specific fungi recapitulated disease exacerbation.

Conclusions:

  • Disruption of commensal gut fungi negatively impacts immune responses.
  • Altered fungal populations can exacerbate inflammatory and allergic diseases.
  • Maintaining a healthy gut fungal community is important for immune homeostasis.

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