Strategies to Dissect Host-Microbial Immune Interactions That Determine Mucosal Homeostasis vs. Intestinal Inflammation in Gnotobiotic Mice.
Abstract
When identifying the key immunologic-microbial interactions leading to either mucosal homeostasis in normal hosts or intestinal inflammatory responses in genetically susceptible individuals, it is important to not only identify microbial community correlations but to also define the functional pathways involved. Gnotobiotic rodents are a very effective tool for this purpose as they provide a highly controlled environment in which to identify the function of complex intestinal microbiota, their individual components, and metabolic products. Herein we review specific strategies using gnotobiotic mice to functionally evaluate the role of various intestinal microbiota in host responses. These studies include basic comparisons between host responses in germ-free (GF), specific-pathogen-free or conventionally raised wild-type mice or those with underlying genetic susceptibilities to intestinal inflammation. We also discuss what can be learned from studies in which GF mice are colonized with single wild-type or genetically-modified microbial isolates to examine the functions of individual bacteria and their targeted bacterial genes, or colonized by multiple defined isolates to determine interactions between members of defined consorti...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Methods Mentioned
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Bacteriotherapy
Bacteriotherapy, also known as fecal transplantation, involves the transfer of stool from a healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract for the purpose of treating recurrent C. difficile colitis. Here is the latest on bacteriotherapy.
Bacteriotherapy (ASM)
Bacteriotherapy, also known as fecal transplantation, involves the transfer of stool from a healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract for the purpose of treating recurrent C. difficile colitis. Here is the latest on bacteriotherapy.