The Key Role of Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in the Coordinated Maturation of Gut Helper T Cell Responses.
Gaboriau-Routhiau, Valerie 1,2,*; Rakotobe, Sabine 1,2; Lecuyer, Emelyne 1,2; Mulder, Imke 3; Lan, Annaig 3; Bridonneau, Chantal 1; Rochet, Violaine 1; Pisi, Annamaria 4; De Paepe, Marianne 2; Brandi, Giovanni 5; Eberl, Gerard 6; Snel, Johannes 7; Kelly, Denise 3; Cerf-Bensussan, Nadine 2
[Article] Immunity. 31(4):677-689, October 2009.

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: Microbiota-induced cytokine responses participate in gut homeostasis, but the cytokine balance at steady-state and the role of individual bacterial species in setting the balance remain elusive. Herein, systematic analysis of gnotobiotic mice indicated that colonization by a whole mouse microbiota orchestrated a broad spectrum of proinflammatory T helper 1 (Th1), Th17, and regulatory T cell responses whereas most tested complex microbiota and individual bacteria failed to efficiently stimulate intestinal T cell responses. This function appeared the prerogative of a restricted number of bacteria, the prototype of which is the segmented filamentous bacterium, a nonculturable Clostridia-related species, which could largely recapitulate the coordinated maturation of T cell responses induced by the whole mouse microbiota. This bacterium, already known as a potent inducer of mucosal IgA, likely plays a unique role in the postnatal maturation of gut immune functions. Changes in the infant flora may thus influence the development of host immune responses.

(C) 2009Elsevier, Inc.