Commensal bacteria signal through TLR5 and AhR to improve barrier integrity and prevent allergic responses to food.

ABSTRACT: The increasing prevalence of food allergies has been linked to reduced commensal microbial diversity. In this article, we describe two features of allergy-protective Clostridia that contribute to their beneficial effects. Some Clostridial taxa bear flagella (a ligand for TLR5) and produce indole (a ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor [AhR]). Lysates and flagella from a Clostridia consortium induced interleukin-22 (IL-22) secretion from ileal explants. IL-22 production is abrogated in explants from mice in which TLR5 or MyD88 signaling is deficient either globally or conditionally in CD11c⁺ antigen-presenting cells. AhR signaling in RORγt⁺ cells is necessary for the induction of IL-22. Mice deficient in AhR in RORγt⁺ cells exhibit increased intestinal permeability and are more susceptible to an anaphylactic response to food. Our findings implicate TLR5 and AhR signaling in a molecular mechanism by which commensal Clostridia protect against allergic responses to food.

SUBMITTER: Kemter AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10697505 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature