HHS Public access Author manuscript Science Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18 Published in final edited form as Science2018May18,360(6390):795-800.do1:10.1126 scIence. aaq0926 Gut microbiota utilize immunoglobulin A for mucosal colonization G.P. Donaldson,, M.S. Ladinsky, K.B. Yu1, J.G.Sanders, B.B. Yoo, W.C. Chou,ME Conner, A.M. Earl3, R. Knight2, P.J. Bjorkman, and S.K.Mazmanian Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA 91125 USA Deparment of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, 92110: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California, USA 92093 Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.USA Abstract The immune system responds vigorously to microbial infection, while permitting life-long colonization by the microbiome. Mechanisms that facilitate the establishment and stability of th gut microbiota remain poorly described. We discovered that a sensor/regulatory system in the prominent human commensal Bacteroides fragilis modulates its surface architecture to invite binding of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Specific immune recognition facilitated bacterial adherence to cultured intestinal epithelial cells and intimate association with the gut mucosal surface in vivo The IgA response was required for B. fragilis, and other commensal species, to occupy a defined mucosal niche that mediated stable colonization of the gut through exclusion of exogenous competitors. Therefore, in addition to its role in pathogen clearance, we propose that igA responses can be co-opted by the microbiome to engender robust host-microbial symbiosis Main Text At birth, ecological and evolutionary processes commence to assemble a complex microbial consortium in the animal gut. Community composition of the adult human gut microbiome is remarkably stable during health, despite day-to-day variability in diet and diverse environmental exposures. Instability, or dysbiosis, may be involved in the etiology of a variety of immune, metabolic, and neurologic diseases(1, 2). Longitudinal sequencing udies indicate a majority of bacterial strains persist within an individual for years(3), and for most species there is a single, persistently dominant strain(4)(termed"single-strain stability ) Mucus and components of the innate and adaptive immune systems are thought to influence microbiome stability, independently of diet. For example, immunoglobulin A Correspondence to: donalds(@caltech.edu and sarkis @caltech. edu
Gut microbiota utilize immunoglobulin A for mucosal colonization G.P. Donaldson1,* , M.S. Ladinsky1, K.B. Yu1, J.G. Sanders2, B.B. Yoo1, W.C. Chou3, M.E. Conner4, A.M. Earl3, R. Knight2, P.J. Bjorkman1, and S.K. Mazmanian1,* 1Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA 2Deparment of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, 92110; Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, California, USA 92093 3 Infectious Disease and Microbiome Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA 4Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA Abstract The immune system responds vigorously to microbial infection, while permitting life-long colonization by the microbiome. Mechanisms that facilitate the establishment and stability of the gut microbiota remain poorly described. We discovered that a sensor/regulatory system in the prominent human commensal Bacteroides fragilis modulates its surface architecture to invite binding of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Specific immune recognition facilitated bacterial adherence to cultured intestinal epithelial cells and intimate association with the gut mucosal surface in vivo. The IgA response was required for B. fragilis, and other commensal species, to occupy a defined mucosal niche that mediated stable colonization of the gut through exclusion of exogenous competitors. Therefore, in addition to its role in pathogen clearance, we propose that IgA responses can be co-opted by the microbiome to engender robust host-microbial symbiosis. Main Text At birth, ecological and evolutionary processes commence to assemble a complex microbial consortium in the animal gut. Community composition of the adult human gut microbiome is remarkably stable during health, despite day-to-day variability in diet and diverse environmental exposures. Instability, or dysbiosis, may be involved in the etiology of a variety of immune, metabolic, and neurologic diseases (1, 2). Longitudinal sequencing studies indicate a majority of bacterial strains persist within an individual for years (3), and for most species there is a single, persistently dominant strain (4) (termed “single-strain stability”). Mucus and components of the innate and adaptive immune systems are thought to influence microbiome stability, independently of diet. For example, immunoglobulin A *Correspondence to: gdonalds@caltech.edu and sarkis@caltech.edu. HHS Public Access Author manuscript Science. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18. Published in final edited form as: Science. 2018 May 18; 360(6390): 795–800. doi:10.1126/science.aaq0926. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript
(IgA), the main antibody isotype secreted in the gut, shapes the composition of the intestin microbiome via currently unknown mechanisms (5-8). IgA deficiency in mice increases inter-individual variability in the microbiome(9)and decreases diversity (10, 11). The direct effects of igA on bacteria have largely been studied in the context of enteric infection by pathogens(12). However, early studies of IgA in the healthy gut found that the majority of live bacterial cells in feces are bound by IgA(13), reflecting a steady-state IgA response to persistent indigenous microbes(14). Studies show that IgA promotes adherence of commensal bacteria to tissue-cultured intestinal epithelial cells(15, 16), though the in vivo mplications of this observation are unclear. Furthermore, lack of IgA, the most common human immunodeficiency, does not affect lifespan and only modestly increases susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections(17), raising the question of why the immune system evolved to invest the considerable energy to produce several grams of IgA daily(18) Bacteroides fragilis is an important member of the human gut microbiome, with beneficial properties that ameliorate inflammatory and behavioral symptoms in preclinical animal models(19-22). This commensal exhibits remarkable single-strain stability(23, 24)and enriched colonization of the gut mucosal surface(25). To explore physical features of B fragilis interaction with the host epithelium, we used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize colonic tissues of mono-colonized mice. B fragilis commonly formed discrete aggregates of tightly-packed cells on the apical epithelial surface(Fig. 1A)and penetrated the glycocalyx layer of transmembrane mucins, nearly contacting the microvilli 338. IB and fig. S1A and B). Intact B. fragilis cells were also found nestled in the ducts of e crypts of Lieberkuhn(Fig. IC and SIC). We previously identified a genetic locus in B. fragilis, named the commensal colonization factors(ccfABCDE), which is necessary for colonization of colonic crypts(26). To assess how these genes affect bacterial localization to the mucosal surface, we mono-colonized mice with a ccfCDE (Accr mutant By TEM, B fragilis Accf was only found as sparse, individual cells within the epithelial mucosa, excluded from contact with the glycocalyx(Fig. ID and E), and never observed in aggregates as for wild-type bacteria(ig. IF). B. fragilis burden in the colon lumen was identical between strains (fig. S2A), suggesting that the CCF system is required specifically for bacterial aggregation within mucus High-resolution tomograms of bacterial cells in vivo revealed the presence of a thick, fuzzy capsule layer covering wild-type B. fragilis(Fig. IG), which was significantly reduced in B. fragilis Accf(Fig. IH and ID). We sought to investigate the bacterial physiology underlying this ultrastructural change, and potential corresponding effects on colonization. The ccf locus is highly induced during gut colonization(26) and bacterial growth in mucin O glycans(27), indicating the CCF system may sense a specific host-derived glycan. The ccf genes are homologous to polysaccharide utilization systems in which a sigma factor(ccfA) is activated by extracellular glycan sensing(28), thus we hypothesized that ccfA may activate genes involved in mucosal colonization. We overexpressed ccfA in B. fragilis and assessed global gene expression by RNAseq during in vitro growth(without overexpre cf is poorly expressed in culture(26). Of the non-ccfgenes regulated by ccfA, 24 out of 25 genes mapped to the biosynthesis loci for capsular polysaccharides A and C (PSa and Psc) (Fig 2A, 2B and Table S1). Correspondingly, ccf mutation decreased expression of PSc and cience. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18
(IgA), the main antibody isotype secreted in the gut, shapes the composition of the intestinal microbiome via currently unknown mechanisms (5–8). IgA deficiency in mice increases inter-individual variability in the microbiome (9) and decreases diversity (10, 11). The direct effects of IgA on bacteria have largely been studied in the context of enteric infection by pathogens (12). However, early studies of IgA in the healthy gut found that the majority of live bacterial cells in feces are bound by IgA (13), reflecting a steady-state IgA response to persistent indigenous microbes (14). Studies show that IgA promotes adherence of commensal bacteria to tissue-cultured intestinal epithelial cells (15, 16), though the in vivo implications of this observation are unclear. Furthermore, lack of IgA, the most common human immunodeficiency, does not affect lifespan and only modestly increases susceptibility to respiratory and gastrointestinal infections (17), raising the question of why the immune system evolved to invest the considerable energy to produce several grams of IgA daily (18). Bacteroides fragilis is an important member of the human gut microbiome, with beneficial properties that ameliorate inflammatory and behavioral symptoms in preclinical animal models (19–22). This commensal exhibits remarkable single-strain stability (23, 24) and enriched colonization of the gut mucosal surface (25). To explore physical features of B. fragilis interaction with the host epithelium, we used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to visualize colonic tissues of mono-colonized mice. B. fragilis commonly formed discrete aggregates of tightly-packed cells on the apical epithelial surface (Fig. 1A) and penetrated the glycocalyx layer of transmembrane mucins, nearly contacting the microvilli (Fig. 1B and fig. S1A and B). Intact B. fragilis cells were also found nestled in the ducts of the crypts of Lieberkühn (Fig. 1C and S1C). We previously identified a genetic locus in B. fragilis, named the commensal colonization factors (ccfABCDE), which is necessary for colonization of colonic crypts (26). To assess how these genes affect bacterial localization to the mucosal surface, we mono-colonized mice with a ccfCDE (Δccf) mutant. By TEM, B. fragilis Δccf was only found as sparse, individual cells within the epithelial mucosa, excluded from contact with the glycocalyx (Fig. 1D and E), and never observed in aggregates as for wild-type bacteria (Fig. 1F). B. fragilis burden in the colon lumen was identical between strains (fig. S2A), suggesting that the CCF system is required specifically for bacterial aggregation within mucus. High-resolution tomograms of bacterial cells in vivo revealed the presence of a thick, fuzzy capsule layer covering wild-type B. fragilis (Fig. 1G), which was significantly reduced in B. fragilis Δccf (Fig. 1H and 1I). We sought to investigate the bacterial physiology underlying this ultrastructural change, and potential corresponding effects on colonization. The ccf locus is highly induced during gut colonization (26) and bacterial growth in mucin Oglycans (27), indicating the CCF system may sense a specific host-derived glycan. The ccf genes are homologous to polysaccharide utilization systems in which a sigma factor (ccfA) is activated by extracellular glycan sensing (28), thus we hypothesized that ccfA may activate genes involved in mucosal colonization. We overexpressed ccfA in B. fragilis and assessed global gene expression by RNAseq during in vitro growth (without overexpression ccf is poorly expressed in culture (26)). Of the non-ccf genes regulated by ccfA, 24 out of 25 genes mapped to the biosynthesis loci for capsular polysaccharides A and C (PSA and PSC) (Fig. 2A, 2B and Table S1). Correspondingly, ccf mutation decreased expression of PSC and Donaldson et al. Page 2 Science. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript
increased expression of PSA in vivo(Fig. 2C). While phase variation of capsular polysaccharides is known to influence general in vivo fitness of B. fragilis(29, 30), these udies identify a pathway for transcriptional regulation of specific polysaccharides in the context of mucosal colonization We modeled single-strain stability using a horizontal transmission assay, wherein co-housing animals respectively harboring isogenic strains of wild-type B. fragilis resulted in minimal strain transmission from one animal to another( Fig. 2D, S2A). This intra-species colonization resistance is provided through bacterial occupation of a species-specific nutrient or spatial niche(26). However, as previously reported (26), if mice are colonized initially with B. fragilis Accf animals were permissive to co-colonization by wild-type B fragilis after co-housing(Fig. 2E, S2B), indicating a CCF-dependent defect in niche saturation Mice harboring a mutant in the biosynthesis genes for PSC(APSC) showed highly variable co-colonization by wild-type bacteria( Fig. 2F, S2C). Interestingly, we observed an unexpected increase in expression of the PSB biosynthesis genes in this mutant (Fig. 21), which may compensate for the loss of Psc. We generated a strain defective in synthesizing both PSB and PSC (APSB/C), and mice mono-associated with the double mutant were consistently unable to maintain colonization resistance(Fig. 2G, S2D-F), though the strain retained ccfexpression(fig. S2G) Despite lack of competition in a mono- colonized setting and equal levels of colonization in the colon lumen(fig. S2H), the B fragilis Accfand APSB/C strains were defective in colonization of the ascending colon mucus(Fig. 21), reflecting impaired saturation of the mucosal niche. Accordingly, when we maged the PSB/C strain in vivo employing TEM, though the capsule was not as thin as in B. fragilis Accf(fig. S2I and ) the hallmark epithelial aggregation phenotype was abrogated compared to wild-type bacteria(fig. S2K and L). Therefore, we conclude that the CCF system regulates capsule expression to mediate B. fragilis mucosal colonization and single To investigate host responses contributing to mucos transcriptome of the ascending colon during colonization with wild-type B. fragilis or B Accf Remarkably, 7 of the 14 differentially expressed genes encode immunoglobulin responses in Accfcolonized mice(fig. S3A), indicating that changes in mucosal association regulation by ccfaffects IgA recognition of bacteria(31-33). In fecal samples from mono- diminished in Accfand APSB/C strains(Fig. 3B, 3C, and S4A). We observed no difference between these strains in the induction of total fecal IgA(Fig. 3D), reflecting equivalent imulation of nonspecific IgA production (10, 34, 35). To test bacteria-specific responses, IgA extracted from feces of mice mono-colonized with B. fragilis was evaluated for binding to bacteria recovered from mono-colonized Rag/* mice(in vivo-adapted, yet IgA-free bacteria). Western blots of bacterial lysates showed that strong IgA reactivity to capsular polysaccharides was abrogated in the Accf and APSB/C strains( Fig. 3E and F). Although IgA can be polyreactive(10, 34, 35), binding to lysates of Bacteroides was species-specific (fig. S4B)and required induction of IgA following bacterial colonization(fig. $4C and D) Accordingly, in a whole bacteria binding assay, IgA induced by wild-type bacteria cience. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18
increased expression of PSA in vivo (Fig. 2C). While phase variation of capsular polysaccharides is known to influence general in vivo fitness of B. fragilis (29, 30), these studies identify a pathway for transcriptional regulation of specific polysaccharides in the context of mucosal colonization. We modeled single-strain stability using a horizontal transmission assay, wherein co-housing animals respectively harboring isogenic strains of wild-type B. fragilis resulted in minimal strain transmission from one animal to another (Fig. 2D, S2A). This intra-species colonization resistance is provided through bacterial occupation of a species-specific nutrient or spatial niche (26). However, as previously reported (26), if mice are colonized initially with B. fragilis Δccf, animals were permissive to co-colonization by wild-type B. fragilis after co-housing (Fig. 2E, S2B), indicating a CCF-dependent defect in niche saturation. Mice harboring a mutant in the biosynthesis genes for PSC (ΔPSC) showed highly variable co-colonization by wild-type bacteria (Fig. 2F, S2C). Interestingly, we observed an unexpected increase in expression of the PSB biosynthesis genes in this mutant (Fig. 2H), which may compensate for the loss of PSC. We generated a strain defective in synthesizing both PSB and PSC (ΔPSB/C), and mice mono-associated with the double mutant were consistently unable to maintain colonization resistance (Fig. 2G, S2D–F), though the strain retained ccf expression (fig. S2G). Despite lack of competition in a monocolonized setting and equal levels of colonization in the colon lumen (fig. S2H), the B. fragilis Δccf and ΔPSB/C strains were defective in colonization of the ascending colon mucus (Fig. 2I), reflecting impaired saturation of the mucosal niche. Accordingly, when we imaged the ΔPSB/C strain in vivo employing TEM, though the capsule was not as thin as in B. fragilis Δccf (fig. S2I and J), the hallmark epithelial aggregation phenotype was abrogated compared to wild-type bacteria (fig. S2K and L). Therefore, we conclude that the CCF system regulates capsule expression to mediate B. fragilis mucosal colonization and single strain stability. To investigate host responses contributing to mucosal colonization, we defined the transcriptome of the ascending colon during colonization with wild-type B. fragilis or B. fragilis Δccf. Remarkably, 7 of the 14 differentially expressed genes encode immunoglobulin variable chains (Fig. 3A and table S2). We did not observe any elevation of immune responses in Δccf–colonized mice (fig. S3A), indicating that changes in mucosal association are not caused by inflammation. Accordingly, we tested whether capsular polysaccharide regulation by ccf affects IgA recognition of bacteria (31–33). In fecal samples from monocolonized animals, wild-type B. fragilis was highly coated with IgA, which was significantly diminished in Δccf and ΔPSB/C strains (Fig. 3B, 3C, and S4A). We observed no difference between these strains in the induction of total fecal IgA (Fig. 3D), reflecting equivalent stimulation of nonspecific IgA production (10, 34, 35). To test bacteria-specific responses, IgA extracted from feces of mice mono-colonized with B. fragilis was evaluated for binding to bacteria recovered from mono-colonized Rag1 −/− mice (in vivo-adapted, yet IgA-free bacteria). Western blots of bacterial lysates showed that strong IgA reactivity to capsular polysaccharides was abrogated in the Δccf and ΔPSB/C strains (Fig. 3E and F). Although IgA can be polyreactive (10, 34, 35), binding to lysates of Bacteroides was species-specific (fig. S4B) and required induction of IgA following bacterial colonization (fig. S4C and D). Accordingly, in a whole bacteria binding assay, IgA induced by wild-type bacteria Donaldson et al. Page 3 Science. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript
maximally coated wild-type B. fragilis compared with the Accf and APSB/C strains(Fig 3G). IgA induced by B. fragilis Accf exhibited reduced binding to wild-type bacteria(Fig 3G). The addition of IgA to in vivo-adapted, IgA-free bacteria increased adherence of B fragilis to intestinal epithelial cells in tissue culture(Fig. 3H), yet had no effect on bacterial viability(fig. S4E). Cell lines known to produce more mucus(36 )exhibited a greater capacity for IgA-enhanced B. fragilis adherence(fig. S4F), consistent with prior work showing that Iga binds mucus (36-38). Importantly, IgA-enhanced adherence was decreased if targeted bacteria lack ccfor PSB/C, or if the Iga tested was induced by a ccf mutant or Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron( Fig. 3H and S4G). While pathogenic bacteria elaborate capsular polysaccharides for immune evasion, these results suggest B. fragil deploys specific capsules for immune attraction, potentially enabling stable mucosa We determined whether IgA coating promotes B. fragilis colonization in mice. Using the horizontal transmission paradigm, Rag/ mice colonized with wild-type B. fragilis were eadily co-colonized by an isogenic strain from a co-housed animal (fig. S5A and B), showing loss of colonization resistance in the absence of adaptive immunity. We next treated wild-type mice with an anti-CD20 antibody (fig. S5C)(39)to deplete B cells (fig. S5D-F thus reducing total fecal IgA levels(fig. S5G)and eliminating IgA coating of wild-type B fragilis during mono-colonization(Fig 4A). IgA recovered from isotype control treated so mono-colonized with B fragilis, adherence of wild-type bacteria to epithelial cells in vitro, while IgA from anti-CD20 treated mice had no effect despite being exposed to B. fragilis antigens(Fig. 4B ). In the horizontal transmission assay, B cell depleted mice mono-colonized with B. fragilis were readily invaded by wild-type bacteria, while isotype control-injected animals retained colonization resistance(Fig. 4C and S5H) Therefore, active B cell responses to B. fragilis colonization enhance single-strain stability As B cell depletion eliminates all antibody isotypes, germ-free IgA mice(40)were IgM(fig. S6A). In a horizontal transmission assay with wild-type(BALB/c)and gA x gby generated and mono-colonized with B. fragilis. We did not observe compensatory coatin mice, lack of Iga allowed co-colonization by challenge strains(Fig. 4D, S6B-D), indicating that IgA specifically contributes to single-strain stability. This feature was reproduced in mice with a full microbial community"spiked"with genetically marked B. fragilis strains (fig. S6E and F), revealing that single-strain stability of an individual bacterial species occurs in the context of a complex community. Mono-colonized IgA-/- mice harbored reduced levels of live bacteria in the colon mucus compared to wild-type mice(Fig. 4E) though they had greater numbers of bacteria in the colon lumen(fig. S6G). TEM images of ascending colon tissues reveal that in IgA/ animals, wild-type B. fragilis failed to aggregate on the epithelial surface(Fig. 4F and 4G), similar to the ccfand PSB/C mutants in presence of (fig. S7), indicating that enhanced mucosal colonization may be due to increased aggregation or growth(41)within mucus. These findings converge to support a model whereby ccfregulates of specific capsular polysaccharides to attract Iga bindin allowing for robust mucosal colonization and single-strain stability cience. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18
maximally coated wild-type B. fragilis compared with the Δccf and ΔPSB/C strains (Fig. 3G). IgA induced by B. fragilis Δccf exhibited reduced binding to wild-type bacteria (Fig. 3G). The addition of IgA to in vivo-adapted, IgA-free bacteria increased adherence of B. fragilis to intestinal epithelial cells in tissue culture (Fig. 3H), yet had no effect on bacterial viability (fig. S4E). Cell lines known to produce more mucus (36) exhibited a greater capacity for IgA-enhanced B. fragilis adherence (fig. S4F), consistent with prior work showing that IgA binds mucus (36–38). Importantly, IgA-enhanced adherence was decreased if targeted bacteria lack ccf or PSB/C, or if the IgA tested was induced by a ccf mutant or Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Fig. 3H and S4G). While pathogenic bacteria elaborate capsular polysaccharides for immune evasion, these results suggest B. fragilis deploys specific capsules for immune attraction, potentially enabling stable mucosal colonization. We determined whether IgA coating promotes B. fragilis colonization in mice. Using the horizontal transmission paradigm, Rag1 −/− mice colonized with wild-type B. fragilis were readily co-colonized by an isogenic strain from a co-housed animal (fig. S5A and B), showing loss of colonization resistance in the absence of adaptive immunity. We next treated wild-type mice with an anti-CD20 antibody (fig. S5C) (39) to deplete B cells (fig. S5D–F), thus reducing total fecal IgA levels (fig. S5G) and eliminating IgA coating of wild-type B. fragilis during mono-colonization (Fig. 4A). IgA recovered from isotype control treated mice, also mono-colonized with B. fragilis, promoted adherence of wild-type bacteria to epithelial cells in vitro, while IgA from anti-CD20 treated mice had no effect despite being exposed to B. fragilis antigens (Fig. 4B). In the horizontal transmission assay, B cell depleted mice mono-colonized with B. fragilis were readily invaded by wild-type bacteria, while isotype control-injected animals retained colonization resistance (Fig. 4C and S5H). Therefore, active B cell responses to B. fragilis colonization enhance single-strain stability. As B cell depletion eliminates all antibody isotypes, germ-free IgA−/− mice (40) were generated and mono-colonized with B. fragilis. We did not observe compensatory coating by IgM (fig. S6A). In a horizontal transmission assay with wild-type (BALB/c) and IgA−/− mice, lack of IgA allowed co-colonization by challenge strains (Fig. 4D, S6B–D), indicating that IgA specifically contributes to single-strain stability. This feature was reproduced in mice with a full microbial community “spiked” with genetically marked B. fragilis strains (fig. S6E and F), revealing that single-strain stability of an individual bacterial species occurs in the context of a complex community. Mono-colonized IgA−/− mice harbored reduced levels of live bacteria in the colon mucus compared to wild-type mice (Fig. 4E), though they had greater numbers of bacteria in the colon lumen (fig. S6G). TEM images of ascending colon tissues reveal that in IgA−/− animals, wild-type B. fragilis failed to aggregate on the epithelial surface (Fig. 4F and 4G), similar to the ccf and PSB/C mutants in wild-type animals. B. fragilis cells also formed aggregates in feces in the presence of IgA (fig. S7), indicating that enhanced mucosal colonization may be due to increased aggregation or growth (41) within mucus. These findings converge to support a model whereby ccf regulates expression of specific capsular polysaccharides to attract IgA binding, allowing for robust mucosal colonization and single-strain stability. Donaldson et al. Page 4 Science. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript
Beyond B. fragilis, we tested whether IgA shapes a complex microbiome following controlled introduction of mouse microbiota to germ-free BALB/c or IgA--miceOne month following colonization, despite similar microbiome profiles in feces of both mouse genotypes(fig. S8A), we observed differences for specific taxa(Table S3). We also identified a defect in community stratification between the colonic mucus and lumen of IgA mice(Fig. 4H and S8B), revealing that Iga is required to individualize microbiome profiles between these two anatomic locations. Remarkably, a highly mucus-enriched exact equence variant(ESV), mapping uniquely to B. fragilis, was significantly decreased in the mucus ofIgA mice compared to BALB/c mice( Fig. 4I and S9A), naturally supporting our observations from mono-colonized mice. To extend this analysis to other microbial species, we identified Rikanellaceae, Blautia sp, and segmented filamentous bacteria(SFB as being highly IgA-coated (fig. S9B)(35), and assessed the abundance of these taxa in the colonic or ileal mucus. Blautia sp and segmented filamentous bacteria(SFB)displayed increased mucosal association in the absence of IgA(Fig. 41)(42), demonstrating that IgA 于9之 can protect the intestinal barrier. However, similar to B. fragilis, Rikanellaceae were highly abundant in colon mucus and significantly depleted in IgA mice( Fig. 4D). We conclude that IgA-enhanced mucosal colonization occurs within complex communities for multiple strains of B. fragilis and other species of the gut microbiome Classically viewed, the immune system evolved to prevent microbial colonization. However, not only do animals tolerate a complex microbiome, in the case of B. fragilis provoking an immune response paradoxically enables intimate association with its mammalian host Related commensal bacteria may also benefit from actively engaging IgA during symbiosis. as Rag2/- mice devoid of adaptive immunity harbor fewer Bacteroides(43), and both B cell deficient and IgA- animals display decreased colonization by the Bacteroidaceae family (44). IgA has been previously shown to increase adherence of Escherichia coli(15) Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus ramnosus(16)to tissue-cultured epithelial cells, suggesting that these microorganisms may also benefit from IgA to establish a mucosal bacterial community. Mucosal microbiome instability or loss of immunomodulatory species may underlie the link between Iga deficiency and autoimmune diseases in humans(45) Interestingly, while IgA-coated bacteria from individuals with IBD (46)or nutritional deficiencies(47)exacerbate respective pathologies in mice, IgA-coated bacteria from healthy humans protect mice from disease(47). We propose that during health, IgA fosters mucosal colonization of microbiota with beneficial properties(9), while disease states ma induce(or be caused by IgA responses to pathogens or pathobionts that disrupt health microbiome equilibria. Indeed, computational models indicate that IgA can both maintain indigenous mucosal populations and clear invasive pathogens (48). In addition to serving a defense system, we discover that adaptive immunity evolved to engender intimate association with members of the gut microbiome Supplementary Material Refer to Web version on PubMed Central for supplementary material cience. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18
Beyond B. fragilis, we tested whether IgA shapes a complex microbiome following controlled introduction of mouse microbiota to germ-free BALB/c or IgA−/− mice. One month following colonization, despite similar microbiome profiles in feces of both mouse genotypes (fig. S8A), we observed differences for specific taxa (Table S3). We also identified a defect in community stratification between the colonic mucus and lumen of IgA −/− mice (Fig. 4H and S8B), revealing that IgA is required to individualize microbiome profiles between these two anatomic locations. Remarkably, a highly mucus-enriched exact sequence variant (ESV), mapping uniquely to B. fragilis, was significantly decreased in the mucus of IgA−/− mice compared to BALB/c mice (Fig. 4I and S9A), naturally supporting our observations from mono-colonized mice. To extend this analysis to other microbial species, we identified Rikanellaceae, Blautia sp., and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) as being highly IgA-coated (fig. S9B) (35), and assessed the abundance of these taxa in the colonic or ileal mucus. Blautia sp. and segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) displayed increased mucosal association in the absence of IgA (Fig. 4I) (42), demonstrating that IgA can protect the intestinal barrier. However, similar to B. fragilis, Rikanellaceae were highly abundant in colon mucus and significantly depleted in IgA−/− mice (Fig. 4I). We conclude that IgA-enhanced mucosal colonization occurs within complex communities for multiple strains of B. fragilis and other species of the gut microbiome. Classically viewed, the immune system evolved to prevent microbial colonization. However, not only do animals tolerate a complex microbiome, in the case of B. fragilis provoking an immune response paradoxically enables intimate association with its mammalian host. Related commensal bacteria may also benefit from actively engaging IgA during symbiosis, as Rag2 −/− mice devoid of adaptive immunity harbor fewer Bacteroides (43), and both B cell deficient and IgA−/− animals display decreased colonization by the Bacteroidaceae family (44). IgA has been previously shown to increase adherence of Escherichia coli (15), Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus ramnosus (16) to tissue-cultured epithelial cells, suggesting that these microorganisms may also benefit from IgA to establish a mucosal bacterial community. Mucosal microbiome instability or loss of immunomodulatory species may underlie the link between IgA deficiency and autoimmune diseases in humans (45). Interestingly, while IgA-coated bacteria from individuals with IBD (46) or nutritional deficiencies (47) exacerbate respective pathologies in mice, IgA-coated bacteria from healthy humans protect mice from disease (47). We propose that during health, IgA fosters mucosal colonization of microbiota with beneficial properties (9), while disease states may induce (or be caused by) IgA responses to pathogens or pathobionts that disrupt healthy microbiome equilibria. Indeed, computational models indicate that IgA can both maintain indigenous mucosal populations and clear invasive pathogens (48). In addition to serving as a defense system, we discover that adaptive immunity evolved to engender intimate association with members of the gut microbiome. Supplementary Material Refer to Web version on PubMed Central for supplementary material. Donaldson et al. Page 5 Science. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 November 18. Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript Author Manuscript