Host immunogenetic variation and gut microbiome functionality in a wild vertebrate population
These results suggest that MHC variation (particularly at MHC-I) plays an important role in shaping both the taxonomy and function of the GM in wild vertebrates. In the Seychelles warbler, this results in trade-offs whereby there is an increase in microbial defence and a reduction in GM metabolic potential in individuals with higher MHC-I diversity. Thus, this work sheds light on the possible costs and benefits of maintaining a healthy microbiome, which is essential for understanding how the GM and immune system co-evolve. Video Abstract.
Authors
- Hannah L. Dugdale (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8769-0099)
- David S. Richardson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7226-9074)
- Charli S. Davies (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9030-7820)
- Falk Hildebrand
- Chuen Zhang Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3107-657X)
- Sarah F. Worsley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4736-0938)
- Jan Komdeur
Institutions
- University of East Anglia (GB)
- University of Groningen (NL)
- Norwich Research Park (GB)
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (GB)
- Quadram Institute (GB)
- Earlham Institute (GB)
- University of Seychelles (SC)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Microbiome
- Published
- 2026-03-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-026-02341-9
- Primary Topic
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00