Creating and maintaining the gastrointestinal ecosystem: what we know and need to know from gnotobiology

Article Abstract:

The importance of gnotobiology, or the scientific field involved in the breeding of mammals in germ-free environment, was discussed and related to the sustenance of the mucosa-associated immune system and diseases. The gastrointestinal tract has the most number of microbes and is an ideal specimen for the microbial community study. The combination of molecular genetics and gnotobiotics enabled the manipulation of the host mucosal epithelium and the related immune system which in turn produced a deeper knowledge regarding the development and pathogenicity of these pathogens.

author: Gordon, Jeffrey I., Midtvedt, Tore, Falk, Per G., Hooper, Lora V.
Methods, Microbial ecology, Microorganisms, Microbial populations, Gastrointestinal system

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Reciprocal gut microbiota transplants from zebrafish and mice to germ-free recipients reveal host habitat selection

Article Abstract:

Reciprocal transplantations of the gut microbiotas into germ-free zebrafish and mouse recipients are performed to test how factors specific to host gut habitat shape microbial community structure. The results shows that communities are assembled in predictable ways and the transplanted community resembles its community of origin in terms of the lineages present, but the relative abundance of the lineages changes to resemble the normal gut microbial community composition of the recipient host.

author: Gordon, Jeffrey I., Ley, Ruth E., Rawls, John F., Mahowald, Michael A.
Environmental aspects, Zebra fish, Zebra fishes

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CNS myelin and sertoli cell tight junction strands are absent in Osp/claudin-11 null mice

Article Abstract:

Results show that oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP) belongs to claudin family of membrane proteins and mediates formation of parallel-array tight junction strands necessary for spermatogenesis and CNS function. Data further indicate that in the absence of OSP, the tight junction strands are not formed leading to neurological and reproductive abnormalities.

author: Kachar, Bechara, Lazzarini, Robert A., Gow Alexander, Southwood, Cherie M., Li, Jing Song, Pariali, Milena, Riordan, Gavin P., Brodie, Scott E., Danias, John, Bronstein, Jeff M.
Statistical Data Included, Usage, Central nervous system, Myelin proteins, Killer cells, Sertoli cells

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subjects list: Research, Microbiological research, United States, Physiological aspects
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