Our body surface, skin, intestines and lungs are colonized by countless bacteria, fungi, and viruses, known as the microbiome, which composition makes a decisive contribution to human health and disease. However, the reason behind inflammations occurring in microbiome is mostly unknown. A recent study published in Cell has interpreted a mechanism by which specific intestinal microbiota amplifies inflammatory reactions in the lungs.
'The fungus Candida albicans, which colonizes the intestines, skin and mucous membranes, is actually harmless', Cornely said. 'However, our study has shown that Candida albicans affects the balance of our immune system.'
Inflammation
Inflammation is the response of living tissue to injury due to a variety of causes that call upon host defenses to eliminate the offending agent.
Advertisement
‘The findings of the research could accelerate the development of new therapies for common diseases.’
Tweet it Now
Candida albicans stimulates the immune system to produce specific defense cells, so-called Th17 cells. However, some of these Th17 cells then attack other fungi, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. This phenomenon is called cross-reactivity. The research showed that immune-compromised individuals have an increased level of cross-reactive Th17 cells in their lung tissue. This concentration is associated with a deterioration of these patients' health. The protective Th17 reaction in the intestine seems to amplify pathogenic immune processes in the lungs.
'With this observation, we were able to show for the first time how a single member of the microbiome, Candida albicans, influences the specific immune response to a large group of other microbes. Immune cross-reactivity is probably a common mechanism by which the microbiome manipulates the immune system - with both protective and harmful effects', Cornely remarked.
Deciphering such specific effects of individual microbes will in future contribute to the development of targeted therapies.
Source: Eurekalert
Deciphering such specific effects of individual microbes will in future contribute to the development of targeted therapies.
Source: Eurekalert
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis usually refers to inflammation of lung tissue due to various non-infective causes such as allergies, chemicals, and drugs although infection also causes pneumonitis. Treatment depends on the underlying cause
Advertisement
 Top Ten Foods That Trigger InflammationFoods like refined carbohydrates, sugar, certain types of fat, artificial food additives and alcohol can trigger inflammatory responses and are known as pro-inflammatory foods. | Advertisement
|
Acidity
Acidity and dyspepsia is excessive acid production in the stomach causing heartburn and acid reflux. Excess HCL acid in stomach can be due to stress and spicy foods.
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Research News
The scientists discovered that when the stem cells in the hair follicle are made softer, they have a higher chance of growing hair.
A combinatorial therapy provided promising beneficial results among people with ischemic stroke.
In Parkinson's disease patients voice disorders are quite common. A new combination therapy had greater effects on the voice.
New study findings delineate how aging affects the immune response following Spinal cord injury (SCI) and highlight the participation of the spinal cord meninges in repair.
A recent clinical trial suggests that the first medication therapy to reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children could be on the way.