Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

13:50
Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients
Published on: June 11, 2011
12.3K
Deciphering HIV-associated inflammation: microbiome's influence and experimental insights.
Ricky A Lippincott1, John O'Connor2, Charles P Neff1
1Department Medicine.
Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS
|June 17, 2024
Summary
Novel experimental approaches are reviewed to study host:microbe interactions and inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH). Multiomic data guides investigations, while in-vitro and in-vivo assays identify causal factors.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Inflammation in people living with HIV (PLWH) is influenced by complex host:microbe interactions within the gut.
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for managing intestinal and systemic inflammation in PLWH.
- Current knowledge gaps necessitate advanced research methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review innovative experimental techniques for investigating host:microbe interactions.
- To highlight the role of these interactions in intestinal and systemic inflammation in PLWH.
- To provide an overview of current research strategies in this field.
Main Methods:
- Multiomic systems biology approaches for generating hypothesis-driven data.
- In-vitro models including peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs), and human intestinal organoids (HIOs).
- In-vivo models such as nonhuman primates and germ-free/humanized mice for studying host-microbiome relationships.
Main Results:
- Multiomic data offers valuable insights into host:microbe interactions, guiding further research.
- In-vitro and in-vivo models allow for the elucidation of direct host-cell-microbe interactions and broader host-microbiome dynamics.
- These approaches are essential for dissecting the complex inflammatory landscape in PLWH.
Conclusions:
- Multiomic data generation is key for formulating hypotheses in host:microbe research.
- In-vitro and in-vivo assays are critical for identifying causal factors in host-microbe interactions.
- Integrated experimental strategies are vital for advancing our understanding of inflammation in PLWH.
Related Concept Videos
Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
The Oral Microbiota
The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota
The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
Human Virome
The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...

