DESCRIZIONE
Giving project will contribute to the field of vaccinology by isolating, structurally analysing, and evaluating the immunological properties of LPS and CPS from gut microbiota bacteria selected among those that have been shown to likely influence vaccines immune responses.
Obiettivo del progetto: Mechanistic understanding of the roles of gut microbiota in immune potentiation.
Abstract:
Studies on the relationship between the gut microbiota and the development and function of the
immune system are highlighting novel concepts that could substantially alter the way we treat
diseases and promote well-being. A major implication of these studies is that the composition and
function of gut microbiota may affect vaccine efficacy, with differential immune responses among
individuals and populations of different geographical areas and Countries income. The everexpanding evidence of how the gut microbiota shapes the immune system will have a palpable
impact on the future of vaccines, requiring a change of direction in our current approach to vaccine
development. Unfortunately, only a very small number of studies have directly correlated vaccine
responses to specific gut bacterial phyla and families. Among these, Bacteroides and Prevotella
have been identified as potential “influencers” of the vaccines efficacy. Despite the lack of a clear
causative correlation, a link between Bacteroides, Prevotella and vaccine immunogenicity can be
highly expected given the leading role they have in induction of homeostatic immune priming.
These immune homeostasis promoting properties have been largely correlated to their intrinsic
capability to produce immunomodulatory molecules, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and
capsular polysaccharides (CPS), which are expressed on their cell surfaces. However, a real and
clear mechanistic understanding of the role of these bacteria in immune function, and the relation
of their immunomodulatory molecules to responses to vaccines is compulsory. GiVIng project
will contribute to providing advances in this sense by isolating, structurally analysing, and
evaluating the immunological properties of LPS and CPS from Bacteroides and Prevotella species
selected among those that have been shown to likely influence vaccines immune response. An
“immune-score” will be assigned to each glyco-conjugate based on distinct immunological
signatures that can help predicting vaccine immunogenicity. The most promising glyco-conjugates
will be selected for a more in-depth study to identify the specific immune cells and receptors
involved in the observed immune response(s).
Coordinatore:
Dott. Fabrizio Chiodo
Ente capofila:
CNR-ICB
Enti partecipanti:
Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
