Characterization of Macrophage Responses to Lung Microbiome Commensal BacteriaThe human body is host to a variety of microbiomes, communities of microorganisms known to affect human development and function. The lung microbiome, in contrast to the gut microbiome, has been greatly understudied. Differences in lung microbiome diversity have been correlated with the development of cancer, the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma, pneumonia, and influenza. The specific bacteria present in the lung have been identified by next-generation sequencing analysis. However, to study the interaction of these bacteria with the cells of the lung, we must be able to isolate and culture them. Macrophages are phagocytic cells of the innate immune system whose functions range from pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses to tissue repair. Tissue-resident macrophages perform immune surveillance, respond to infection, and regulate inflammation in the specific microenvironments of the body. In the lung, alveolar macrophages are by far the most common immune cell in the steady state. It is unknown how alveolar macrophages interact with the commensal bacteria of the lung microbiome, particularly how commensal bacteria do not trigger constant immune activation and inflammation. Understanding the response of alveolar macrophages to commensal bacteria from the lung microbiome could give insight as to why changes in the lung microbiome can lead to disease states such as cancer and COPD. This project sought to isolate the specific bacteria of the mouse lung microbiome, identify the bacteria based on sequencing analysis, culture these bacteria into a library of commensal bacteria, and then use this library to analyze the effects of the commensal bacteria upon macrophages. Completing these steps allowed us to determine the effects these commensal bacteria from the lung have upon the immune system.Piatski, Marie E.creatorJamieson, Amandathesis advisorBrown University. Molecular Microbiology and Immunologysponsor2020textborn digitalEnglishSenior thesis (ScB)--Brown University, 2020Biochemistry & Molecular BiologythesesBacteriaMacrophagesLungsIn CopyrightAll rights reserved. Collection is open for research. 10.26300/5215-ee84