Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The Colonization of Land02:22

The Colonization of Land

37.8K
Changes in the environment of the early Earth drove the evolution of organisms. As prokaryotic organisms in the oceans began to photosynthesize, they produced oxygen. Eventually, oxygen saturated the oceans and entered the air, resulting in an increase in atmospheric oxygen concentration, known as the oxygen revolution approximately 2.3 billion years ago. Therefore, organisms that could use oxygen for cellular respiration had an advantage. More than 1.5 years ago, eukaryotic cells and...
37.8K
Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach01:25

Mucosal Barrier of the Stomach

2.5K
The gastric glands contain parietal cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) for digestion. The cells secrete HCl because it is highly corrosive and essential for breaking down food. To achieve this, they secrete hydrogen and chloride ions into the lumen of the gastric glands, which combine to form HCl.
Within parietal cells, carbonic acid is first formed through the reaction of water and carbon dioxide. The dissociation of carbonic acid releases bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The bicarbonate...
2.5K
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules01:31

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

4.4K
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
4.4K
Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors01:24

Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Mucosal Defense Factors

1.3K
Peptic ulcer disease, commonly called PUD, represents a multifaceted condition characterized by disruptions in the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI)  tract. Central to the protection of the gastrointestinal lining is the mucosal-bicarbonate barrier. This physiological defense mechanism is a formidable shield against the corrosive effects of gastric acid and pepsin secretion in the stomach. Its role is pivotal in maintaining the structural integrity of the stomach's inner lining.
1.3K
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents01:24

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents

1.6K
In the intricate landscape of the gastric lumen, excessive acid secretion disrupts the natural defense mechanisms, weakening the mucus-bicarbonate barrier. This vulnerability allows pepsin to infiltrate epithelial cells, digesting mucosal proteins and triggering erosion, leading to ulcer formation.
In this scenario, mucosal protective agents like sucralfate play an essential role. Sucralfate, a complex of sulfated sucrose and aluminum hydroxide, demonstrates its usefulness in acidic conditions,...
1.6K
Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health01:05

Physiology of Enteric Nervous System and Gut Health

1.0K
The gastrointestinal tract, responsible for the digestion and absorption of nutrients, is safeguarded by the intestinal barrier, which consists of secretory, physical, and immune components. At the forefront is the secretory barrier, composed of essential elements such as mucus, gut microbiota, and defense proteins. They collaborate to break down food particles, facilitate nutrient absorption, and maintain optimal gut health. These secretory components ensure the smooth functioning of the...
1.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Comparative genomic analysis of <i>Bacteroides fragilis</i> from intestinal and extra-intestinal sites.

Microbiology spectrum·2026
Same author

Higher abundance of <i>Faecalibacterium prausnitzii</i> in the gut microbiome is associated with a lower risk of sepsis development among 6,372 individuals followed for 20 years.

mSystems·2026
Same author

Applying Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in precision nutrition.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

<i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> uses a eukaryotic-like uridyltransferase to make UDP-GlcNAc for cell wall synthesis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Strain sharing and persistence of microbial pathogens colonizing the skin of residents in a regional nursing home network.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Response to 'On using clustering statistics for assessing plasmid binning tools accuracy'.

Briefings in bioinformatics·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.9K

Gut microbiota utilize immunoglobulin A for mucosal colonization.

G P Donaldson1, M S Ladinsky2, K B Yu2

  • 1Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. gdonalds@caltech.edu sarkis@caltech.edu.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 5, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Bacteroides fragilis uses immunoglobulin A (IgA) to adhere to the gut, establishing a stable microbiome. This immune response helps beneficial bacteria colonize and exclude harmful competitors, promoting symbiosis.

More Related Videos

A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice
07:54

A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice

Published on: July 25, 2017

14.8K
Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

1.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.9K
A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice
07:54

A Method to Assess Bacteriocin Effects on the Gut Microbiota of Mice

Published on: July 25, 2017

14.8K
Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
08:34

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation

Published on: July 27, 2022

1.3K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in health, but mechanisms for its stable colonization are unclear.
  • The immune system combats pathogens but must tolerate beneficial microbes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how the gut microbiota, specifically Bacteroides fragilis, establishes stable colonization.
  • To explore the role of host immune responses in microbiome stability.

Main Methods:

  • Studied the interaction between Bacteroides fragilis and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in a mouse model.
  • Examined bacterial adherence to intestinal epithelial cells and mucosal surfaces in vivo.
  • Assessed the requirement of IgA for colonization and niche exclusion.

Main Results:

  • Bacteroides fragilis modulates its surface to bind host immunoglobulin A (IgA).
  • IgA binding promotes bacterial adherence to intestinal cells and mucosal surfaces.
  • IgA is essential for B. fragilis and other commensals to occupy a specific gut niche and exclude competitors.

Conclusions:

  • Immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses are co-opted by commensal bacteria like B. fragilis for stable gut colonization.
  • IgA facilitates host-microbial symbiosis beyond its role in pathogen defense.
  • Understanding these mechanisms can inform strategies for modulating the gut microbiome.