How commensal bacteria communicate with the host to modify immunity is incompletely understood. Here we propose to characterize a previously unrecognized pathway of communication between bacteria and the eukaryotic host and its role in mediating immunomodulatory effects of mucosa-associated commensals. To identify the nature of the process we will characterize the involvement and requirement of various endocytic pathways by a combination of chemical and genetic approaches. We will also generate and examine these interactions in a novel in vitro system. If successful, our studies will uncover a novel mechanism for delivery of bacterial antigens for activation of commensal-specific T cells in the intestine, and/or for delivery of bacterial molecules for immune modulation.

Public Health Relevance

The mechanisms of interaction between commensal bacteria and host cells are poorly understood. We have discovered a novel cellular mechanism of host-commensal communication and propose to characterize the nature of this process, as well us the molecular mechanism involved. We will also generate new tools to study the process in vitro.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI126305-02
Application #
9407768
Study Section
Immunity and Host Defense (IHD)
Program Officer
Rothermel, Annette L
Project Start
2017-02-01
Project End
2019-01-31
Budget Start
2018-02-01
Budget End
2019-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Ivanov, Ivaylo I (2017) Mucosal Bioengineering: Gut in a Dish. Trends Immunol 38:537-539
Ivanov, Ivaylo I (2017) Microbe Hunting Hits Home. Cell Host Microbe 21:282-285