The Microbiome, Systemic Immune Function, and Allotransplantation

Abstract

SUMMARYDiverse effects of the microbiome on solid organ transplantation are beginning to be recognized. In allograft recipients, microbial networks are disrupted by immunosuppression, nosocomial and community-based infectious exposures, antimicrobial therapies, surgery, and immune processes. Shifting microbial patterns, including acute infectious exposures, have dynamic and reciprocal interactions with local and systemic immune systems. Both individual microbial species and microbial networks have central roles in the induction and control of innate and adaptive immune responses, in graft rejection, and in ischemia-reperfusion injury. Understanding the diverse interactions between the microbiome and the immune system of allograft recipients may facilitate clinical management in the future.

Models of Lung Transplant Research: a consensus statement from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop

“…Because of the low-throughput nature of this surgery in mice and the relatively limited number of laboratories that successfully achieve consistent results, a significant opportunity for collaboration exists between groups to test their most promising mechanistic concepts in laboratories that regularly employ this technique. The contribution of the microbiome to host immunity is only beginning to be understood, and modulating the microbiome to be protective against CLAD is a promising area of research that will be facilitated by studies using the whole lung (133,134). Finally, there is currently an unmet need for new models of RAS, an increasingly recognized manifestation of CLAD.…”

Endozoicomonas genomes reveal functional adaptation and plasticity in bacterial strains symbiotically associated with diverse marine hosts

“…These include the transformation of proteins into forms digestible by the host12, synthesis of essential vitamins, minerals or amino acids34, priming of the host immune system56, xenobiotic degradation78, and protection against pathogens910. In higher order vertebrates, such as humans, the microbiome fulfilling these niches is extremely complex and consists of thousands of species and functions, forming an intricate web of interactions11.…”

Transplant associated infections—The role of the gastrointestinal microbiota and potential therapeutic options

“…As such, there has been a focus on trying to elucidate the pathogenesis of transplant‐associated infections and approaches to mitigate this burden. Over the past 5 years, studies have emerged to show an association between changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota and the incidence of infections occurring in kidney transplant recipients . As a consequence, the objectives of this article are to review the current evidence regarding the associations between the gut microbiota and infections in kidney transplant recipients, as well as how these interactions may be therapeutically modified by prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics.…”