Abstract
Bifidobacteria are some of the major agents that shaped the immune system of many members of the animal kingdom during their evolution. Over recent years, the question of concrete mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory properties of bifidobacteria has been addressed in both animal and human studies. A possible candidate for this role has been discovered recently. The PFNA cluster, consisting of five core genes, pkb2, fn3, aaa-atp, duf58, tgm, has been found in all gut-dwelling autochthonous bifidobacterial species of humans. The sensory region of the species-specific serine-threonine protein kinase (PKB2), the transmembrane region of the microbial transglutaminase (TGM), and the type-III fibronectin domain-containing protein (FN3) encoded by the I gene imply that the PFNA cluster might be implicated in the interaction between bacteria and the host immune system. Moreover, the FN3 protein encoded by one of the genes making up the PFNA cluster, contains domains and motifs of cytokine receptors capable of selectively binding TNF-α. The PFNA cluster could play an important role for sensing signals of the immune system. Among the practical implications of this finding is the creation of anti-inflammatory drugs aimed at alleviating cytokine storms, one of the dire consequences resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Highlights
Today, viral infectious diseases continue to pose a palpable threat to healthcare around the world
TNF-α has opened many perspectives [22]. Research in this field was grounded in the hypothesis that the evolution of bifidobacteria, favoring those that better adapted to their hosts, must have led them to develop genes and species-specific mechanisms that increased their chances of colonization of new niches and efficient interaction with the host organism
Bifidobacteria are credited with shaping the immune system of animals ranging from insects to humans
Summary
Viral infectious diseases continue to pose a palpable threat to healthcare around the world. TNF-α has opened many perspectives [22] Research in this field was grounded in the hypothesis that the evolution of bifidobacteria, favoring those that better adapted to their hosts, must have led them to develop genes and species-specific mechanisms that increased their chances of colonization of new niches and efficient interaction with the host organism. This process might have occurred multiple times at different stages of the evolution of the immune system [23]. It discusses the prospects for using the PFNA operon for inhibiting the “cytokine storm” caused by SARS-CoV-2 as an alternative for anti-TNF-α and -IL-6 monoclonal antibodies
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