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My microbiome and I are in balance and harmony, which seems miraculous. I wish you the same regularity. Here's a thorny question that arises. We know that our bacteria communicate with our body, but what do we know about what our body tells our bacteria?
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What a great thought!
I have read some recent work done on showing that a pathogenic Vibrio species responds to norepinephrine in order to activate its T3SS, which is requried for attachment to host cells.
There has also been some studies showing EPEC senses epinephrine/norepinephrine while in the host, and regulates motility and virulence factors based on those signals.
For symbiots and pathogens alike, I would more than expect the communication to be flowing both ways. :-) Life is simply amazing.
Some cites:
Nakano, et al. J Infect Dis. 2007(195). p1353
Sperandio, et al. PNAS 2003(100). p8951
Clarke, et al. PNAS 2006(103). p10420
Clarke, et al. Mol Micro 2005(57). p1734
Posted by: Tim Sampson | April 19, 2009 at 10:52 AM