Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
10:24
Assessing the Viability of a Synthetic Bacterial Consortium on the In Vitro Gut Host-microbe Interface
Published on: July 4, 2018
11.6K
Commensal resilience: ancient ecological lessons for the modern microbiota
Abigail E Rose1,2, Ryan T Fansler1,2, Wenhan Zhu1,2
1Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Infection and Immunity
|May 19, 2025
Summary
Maintaining gut microbiota resilience is key for health. Rising oxygen and low iron levels, driven by inflammation or antibiotics, challenge beneficial microbes, impacting gut health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Host-Microbiota Interactions
Background:
- The gut microbiota is vital for host health, providing metabolic support, immune modulation, and pathogen protection.
- Microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis) is linked to intestinal diseases like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer.
- Understanding microbiota resilience mechanisms is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore gut microbiota resilience using an ecological model.
- To identify key environmental factors influencing microbiota stability.
- To provide a framework for understanding and enhancing host-microbiota interactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of ecological principles applied to microbial communities.
- Analysis of host-driven environmental controls on the gut microbiota.
- Examination of oxygen tension and iron availability as critical factors.
Main Results:
- Microbiota resilience is shaped by oxygen tension and iron availability, reflecting ancestral challenges for anaerobic organisms.
- Inflammation-induced increases in oxygen favor facultative anaerobes over obligate commensals.
- Host nutritional immunity restricts iron, further challenging commensal survival.
Conclusions:
- Rising oxygen and reduced iron availability are convergent outcomes of various perturbations, impacting microbiota resilience.
- An ecological perspective focusing on these downstream environmental challenges offers a unified framework for understanding resilience.
- This understanding can inform therapeutic strategies to foster gut microbiota resilience and support host health.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Biodiversity and Human Values
13.0K
Human civilization relies on biodiversity in many ways. Sudden changes in species biodiversity result in environmental changes that can modify weather patterns and therefore human civilizations.
13.0K
02:11The Roles of Bacteria and Fungi in Plant Nutrition
35.1K
Plants have the impressive ability to create their own food through photosynthesis. However, plants often require assistance from organisms in the soil to acquire the nutrients they need to function correctly. Both bacteria and fungi have evolved symbiotic relationships with plants that help the species to thrive in a wide variety of environments.
35.1K
01:26Defense Mechanism Against Infection
6.5K
Natural flora, body system defenses, and inflammation are natural barriers of the body against infectious agents regardless of previous exposure. Normal floras of the human body refer to the microbial population that colonizes the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
In addition, many body organ systems have unique defenses against infection. The skin is an intact, multilayered surface preventing invasion by microorganisms unless impaired. Mucous membranes lining the mouth, nose, and eyelids are barriers...
6.5K
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
400
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
400
01:31Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
1.4K
The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.4K
01:26Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
11.5K
The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
11.5K