Rational T cell repertoire allocation to control the gut microbiota
Authors: Obinna A. Ukogu, Angelina M. Bilate, Thierry Mora, Aleksandra M. Walczak, Armita Nourmohammad
Abstract
The gut microbiota shapes host metabolism, development and immunity, yet how the host regulates its composition in the presence of complex ecological interactions remains poorly understood. Recent experiments that measured T cell reactivity to individual strains in germ-free mice inoculated with a defined microbial community found that T cell recognition across microbial strains is sparse but broad, with a few polyspecific clones recognizing antigens shared across taxonomically diverse strains. Reanalyzing these experiments, we show that these T cell responses are associated with abundance changes of the strains they target. To interpret these findings, we develop a model linking the T cell repertoire to microbial abundances, in which a repertoire is allocated to minimize microbe-driven harm at the cost of maintaining an immune response. The model rationalizes the observed sparsity of gut T cell reactivity and shows that this allocation can emerge from competition between T cells for microbe-derived antigens. Finally, we find that while immune recognition can regulate microbial abundances, ecological interactions between strains may interfere with this mechanism. Together, these results provide a quantitative framework for immune control of gut microbial composition and identify principles governing the organization of T cell repertoires in the gut.
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Abstract
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Microbial cues and T cell immunity: deciphering their interactions in chronic liver disease.Yi-Nuo Liu, Bai-Chao Yu, Qiao-Yan Liu et al. · 2026 · Experimental and Molecular Medicine · Not summarized yet
Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) poses a major global health challenge, as its progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma significantly contributes to worldwide morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence has identified the gut microbiota as a critical modulator of CLD progression, primarily via the gut-liver axis. The liver is continuously exposed to gut-derived signals through the portal circulation, while reciprocally secreting bioactive mediators that shape intestinal microbial composition and function. This bidirectional network enables intricate crosstalk between the gut microbiota and the host immune system. In particular, T lymphocytes, the central effectors of adaptive immunity…
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