A1: Control of Citrobacter rodentium by oxygen-dependent B cell regulation

A1: Control of Citrobacter rodentium by oxygen-dependent B cell regulation

Citrobacter rodentium is a murine model pathogen for human enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, which colonizes the lumen and mucosal surface of the colon. It was previously shown that defenses against C. rodentium depends on B cells, IgA antibodies and Th17 activation. Recently, we have shown that HIF-1α induces regulatory B cell expansion and IL-10 production. It is likely that IL-10 produced by regulatory B cells protects against gut epithelial cell damage by suppression of Th1 and Th17 cell functions. Our preliminary data suggest that IgA positive plasma cells are also dependent of HIF-1α expression. In this project, we will characterize antibody production in the intestine of HIF-1α deficient in B cells in the context of dysbioses. Furthermore, we will determine the impact of HIF-1α deficiency in B cells during C. rodentium oral infection. RNA sequencing methodology and multi-color flow cytometry will be used to characterize IgA plasma cell in steady state and during C. rodentium infection.

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