Bone Marrow Dendritic Cells from Mice with an Altered Microbiota Provide Interleukin 17A-Dependent Protection against Entamoeba histolytica Colitis

Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amebiasis, an infectious disease that contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality due to diarrhea in the developing world. We showed in a murine model that colonization with the commensal members of the Clostridia known as SFB provides protection against E. histolytica and that dendritic cells from SFB-colonized mice alone can recapitulate protection. Understanding interactions between enteropathogens, commensal intestinal bacteria, and the mucosal immune response, including dendritic cells, will help in the development of effective treatments for this disease and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. The demonstration of immune-mediated protection due to communication from the microbiome to the bone marrow represents an emerging field of study that will yield unique approaches to the development of these treatments.