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Updated: Sep 27, 2025
Using a Bacterial Pathogen to Probe for Cellular and Organismic-level Host Responses
Published on: February 22, 2019
Bacteria may be in the liver, but the jury is still out
Nichole A Broderick1, Laszlo Nagy2,3
1Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract:
A fundamental and highly contested issue in microbiome research is whether internal organs such as the liver, brain, placenta, pancreas, and others are sterile and privileged or harbor a detectable and functional microbial biomass. In this issue of the JCI, Leinwand, Paul, et al. addressed this question using an array of diverse techniques and reported that normal healthy liver possesses a microbiome that is selectively recruited from the gut. They further showed that liver-enriched microbes contributed to shaping the immune network of this organ. Here, we attempt to put their findings into the context of other organs, discuss the technical challenges of defining such microbial communities, and provide some perspective about the road ahead for the field.
Insights
The healthy liver harbors a unique microbiome, selectively recruited from the gut. These liver-associated microbes play a role in shaping the organ's immune system, challenging the notion of sterile internal organs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The presence and function of microbial communities within internal organs remain a significant debate in scientific research.
- Traditionally, internal organs like the liver were considered sterile environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and characteristics of a microbiome within the healthy liver.
- To determine the origin and functional contribution of liver-associated microbes to the organ's immune network.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a diverse array of advanced techniques to analyze liver microbial communities.
- Employed methods to trace the recruitment of microbes from the gut to the liver.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that the normal healthy liver harbors a distinct microbiome.
- Confirmed selective recruitment of gut microbes to the liver.
- Showcased the contribution of liver-enriched microbes in shaping the hepatic immune network.
Conclusions:
- The healthy liver is not sterile and possesses a functional microbiome.
- Gut-derived microbes are selectively recruited to the liver and influence its immune system.
- Findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about microbial presence in internal organs.
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