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B cell-helping functions of gut microbial metabolites
1Laboratory of Immunology and Hematopoiesis, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S.A. ; Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S.A. ; Purdue Institute for Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases; Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S.A. ; Purdue Center for Cancer Research; Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, U.S.A.
Abstract:
Commensal microflora profoundly affects the host immune system. It has long been observed that commensal bacteria enhance antibody production in the host by producing antigens for B cell receptors (BCR) and ligands for Toll-like receptors (TLR). We recently reported that the microbial metabolites short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) regulate the metabolism and gene expression in B cells to promote antibody production (Kim et al. Gut Microbial Metabolites Fuel Host Antibody Responses. Cell Host & Microbe. 2016; 20(2):202-14). The B-cell helping function of SCFAs and its implication in the host immune system are discussed in this article.