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Commensal Fungi Recapitulate the Protective Benefits of Intestinal Bacteria

Tony T Jiang1, Tzu-Yu Shao2, W X Gladys Ang1

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Cell Host & Microbe
|November 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Commensal fungi, like Candida albicans, can replace gut bacteria to protect against tissue injury and boost immune responses. Fungal mannans alone provide these essential immune benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Commensal intestinal microbes, primarily bacteria, are known to protect against tissue injury and enhance immunity.
  • The role of other commensal microbes, such as fungi, in maintaining gut health and immunity is poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the functional contribution of commensal fungi in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and immune defense.
  • To determine if fungi can compensate for the loss of protective bacteria in the gut.

Main Methods:

  • Depletion of commensal bacteria in mice.
  • Mono-colonization with fungal species (Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae).
  • Assessment of susceptibility to colitis and viral infection.
  • Identification of protective fungal components (mannans).

Main Results:

  • Commensal fungi conferred protection against mucosal injury and modulated immune cell responsiveness.
  • Fungal colonization effectively reversed disease susceptibility following bacterial depletion.
  • Mannans, a component of fungal cell walls, were identified as the key moiety mediating these protective effects.

Conclusions:

  • Commensal enteric fungi play a crucial role in safeguarding local and systemic immunity.
  • Fungi provide essential microbial stimulation that can functionally replace intestinal bacteria.
  • Mannans are critical mediators of fungal-induced immune protection.
Keywords:
Candida albicansSaccharomyces cerevisiaecommensal microbesdextran sodium sulfatefungal immunityinfluenza A virusmannans

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