Protective role of commensals against Clostridium difficile infection via an IL-1β-mediated positive-feedback loop

EP4 and EP2 receptor activation of protein kinase A by prostaglandin E2 impairs macrophage phagocytosis of Clostridium sordellii

PROBLEM

Clostridium sordellii causes endometrial infections, but little is known regarding host defenses against this pathogen.

METHOD OF STUDY

We tested the hypothesis that the immunoregulatory lipid prostaglandin (PG) E2 suppresses human macrophage clearance of C. sordellii through receptor-induced increases in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The THP-1 macrophage cell line was used to quantify C. sordellii phagocytosis.

RESULTS

PGE2 increased cAMP levels, activated protein kinase A (PKA), and inhibited the class A scavenger receptor-dependent phagocytosis of C. sordellii. Activation of the EP2 and EP4 receptors increased intracellular cAMP and inhibited phagocytosis, with evidence favoring a more important role for EP4 over EP2. This was supported by EP receptor expression data and the use of pharmacological receptor antagonists. In addition, the PKA isoform RI appeared to be more important than RII in mediating the suppression of ingestion of C. sordellii.

CONCLUSION

The endogenous lipid mediator PGE2 impairs human innate immune responses against C. sordellii.

The intestinal microbiota and susceptibility to infection in immunocompromised patients

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many infections of immunocompromised patients originate from the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis of these infections often begins with alteration of the intestinal microbiota. Understanding the microbiota and how it can either cause or prevent infection is vital for the development of more effective prevention and treatment of these infections. This article reviews and discusses recent work providing insight into the intestinal microbiota of these at-risk immunocompromised patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Studies continue to support the premise that commensal bacteria, largely anaerobic, serve to maintain microbial stability and colonization resistance by preventing overgrowth or domination with more pathogenic bacteria, through interactions within the microbial community and with the host. In patients with immune suppression due to high-dose chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, disruption of the microbiota through antibiotics as well as impairment of host immunity gives rise to perturbations favoring intestinal domination by pathogenic species, leading to increased bacterial translocation and susceptibility to systemic infection.

SUMMARY

An understanding of the intestinal microbiota and the impact of antibiotics will help to guide our treatment of these gut-originating infections.

Inflammasomes in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Inflammasomes are molecular platforms assembled in response to infection or danger signals, and they regulate the activation of caspase-1 and the maturation of the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. In this review, we will summarize the centrality of Nod-like receptor proteins that assemble inflammasomes and regulate intestinal homeostasis by controlling host defense responses, microbiota composition, intestinal inflammation and tissue damage.

RECENT FINDINGS

In the intestine, the innate immune system evolved to tolerate commensal microorganisms while maintaining the capacity to trigger host defense responses to invading pathogens. Recent findings suggest that inflammasomes play a critical role in the intricate interplay between the local microbial community and the mucosal immune system by sensing commensal bacteria, regulating microbial ecology, establishing the host defense response that discriminates pathogenic from commensal microbes and preventing the emergence of pathobionts. A model to reconcile the conflicting results in the literature on the role of inflammasomes in experimental colitis will be discussed.

SUMMARY

A better understanding of the relationship between inflammasome signaling and the intestinal microbiota might provide insight into the complex interaction of the innate immune system with the intestinal environment, and identify new approaches for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal cancer.

Control of pathogens and pathobionts by the gut microbiota

A dense resident microbial community in the gut, referred as the commensal microbiota, coevolved with the host and is essential for many host physiological processes that include enhancement of the intestinal epithelial barrier, development of the immune system and acquisition of nutrients. A major function of the microbiota is protection against colonization by pathogens and overgrowth of indigenous pathobionts that can result from the disruption of the healthy microbial community. The mechanisms that regulate the ability of the microbiota to restrain pathogen growth are complex and include competitive metabolic interactions, localization to intestinal niches and induction of host immune responses. Pathogens, in turn, have evolved strategies to escape from commensal-mediated resistance to colonization. Thus, the interplay between commensals and pathogens or indigenous pathobionts is critical for controlling infection and disease. Understanding pathogen-commensal interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treating infectious diseases.

Nod-like receptors in intestinal host defense: controlling pathogens, the microbiota, or both?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nod-like receptors (NLRs) are intracellular innate immune sensors of microbes and danger signals that control multiple aspects of inflammatory responses. We review the evidence that highlights the critical importance of NLRs in the host response to intestinal pathogens. Moreover, we discuss the potential roles played by NLRs in the dynamic control of the intestinal microbiota and how commensal microorganisms may affect host susceptibility to enteric bacterial pathogens through interactions with NLRs as well as with invading pathogens.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies targeting the intestinal microbiota in the context of NLR deficiencies suggest inherent alterations in bacterial density or abundance may underlie the development of inflammatory diseases. As commensal microorganisms may also affect host susceptibility to enteric bacterial pathogens, NLRs might promote intestinal innate immune defense through mechanisms more complex than previously anticipated.

SUMMARY

The inclusion of the intestinal microbiota as a critical parameter in innate immunity represents an exciting new dimension for understanding NLR functioning and the clinical implications for human health.