Impact of the microbiome on vaccine responses
Our recent work in the systems analysis of immune responses to influenza vaccination in humans revealed an early gene signature that included TLR5 as a strong correlate of the antibody response1. Subsequent validation in knockout and germ-free mice led to the discovery of the role of TLR5-mediated sensing of the microbiota as an endogenous adjuvant for vaccine responses2. This finding in turn, led to a first of its kind study in humans that provided causal evidence for the impact of the gut microbiota on vaccine responses in humans3. Crucially, systems analysis revealed insights about the role of secondary bile acids and long chain fatty acids in regulating vaccine responses. We are currently exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms.
References: (1) Nat Immunol. 2011 Jul 10;12(8):786-95; (2) Immunity. 2014 Sep 18;41(3):478-492; (3) Cell. 2019 Sep 5;178(6):1313-1328.