Microbes and allogeneic transplantation

Transplantation. 2014 Jan 15;97(1):5-11. doi: 10.1097/TP.0b013e3182a2037f.

Abstract

Microbial products can be recognized by pattern recognition receptors expressed by immune and parenchymal cells and drive innate immunity that can in turn shape adaptive immune responses to microbial and transplant antigens. In transplanted patients, the signals and their downstream inflammatory cytokines elicited in response to infections can modulate ongoing alloimmune responses and modify the fate of transplanted organs. In recent years, it has become apparent that microbial signals can be generated not only by active pathogenic infections but also by commensal microbiota, thus opening a new field of research into the interplay between the microbiota and the immune system in homeostasis and disease. The wide use of antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs in transplanted patients can have dramatic consequences on the microbiota that can in turn shape immune responses and perhaps alloresponses, whereas the ongoing immune responses can in turn affect the commensal or pathogenic microorganisms in a feed-forward circle. Here, we discuss known and hypothesized mechanisms for how infections or microbiota-derived signals may affect local or systemic alloimmunity and briefly review data on downstream effects of antibiotics and vaccinations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
  • Bacteria / drug effects
  • Bacteria / immunology*
  • Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
  • Bacterial Vaccines / adverse effects
  • Graft Rejection / immunology
  • Graft Rejection / microbiology
  • Graft Rejection / prevention & control
  • Graft Survival
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Organ Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • Transplantation Tolerance
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Vaccines
  • Immunosuppressive Agents