biostudies-literatureMans JJNIDCR NIH HHS380https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC2736203biostudies-literatureUnknown10<h4>Background</h4>The human microflora is known to be extremely complex, yet most pathogenesis research is conducted in mono-species models of infection. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the level of complexity of a host's indigenous flora can affect the virulence potential of pathogenic species. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the colonization by commensal species affects a host cell's response to pathogenic species beyond the direct physical saturation of surface receptors, the sequestration of nutrients, the modulation of the physico-chemical environment in the oral cavity, or the production of bacteriocins. Using oral epithelial cells as a model, we hypothesized that the virulence of pathogenic species may vary depending on the complexity of the flora that interacts wiBMC genomicsThe degree of microbiome complexity influences the epithelial response to infection.PMC2736203R01 DE016715R01 DE11111R01 DE011111T32 DE007200DE07200R01 DE16715Baker HVvon Lackum KDorsey CWallet SMHandfield MWillis SLamont RJMans JJfalseThe degree of microbiome complexity influences the epithelial response to infection.<h4>Background</h4>The human microflora is known to be extremely complex, yet most pathogenesis research is conducted in mono-species models of infection. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the level of complexity of a host's indigenous flora can affect the virulence potential of pathogenic species. Furthermore, it remains unclear whether the colonization by commensal species affects a host cell's response to pathogenic species beyond the direct physical saturation of surface receptors, the sequestration of nutrients, the modulation of the physico-chemical environment in the oral cavity, or the production of bacteriocins. Using oral epithelial cells as a model, we hypothesized that the virulence of pathogenic species may vary depending on the complexity of the flora that interacts wi2009-01-01T00:00:00Z2009 Aug2026-05-03T16:56:08.958Z2026-04-07T19:26:34.135ZS-EPMC27362031968980310.1186/1471-2164-10-380