생화학분자생물학회

	Geongoo Han( geon_goo_han@brown.edu )
	2024-Present	Research Associate, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, USA
	2019-2024	Postdoctoral Research Associates, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, USA
	2018	Postdoctoral Research Associates, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
	2013-2018	Ph.D., Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
	2011-2013	M.S., Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
	2005-2011	B.S., Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea

Microbial underdogs: exploring the significance of low-abundance commensals in host-microbe interactions

Our understanding of host-microbe interactions has broadened through numerous studies over the past decades. However, most investigations primarily focus on the dominant members within ecosystems while neglecting low-abundance microorganisms. Moreover, laboratory animals usually do not have microorganisms beyond bacteria. The phenotypes observed in laboratory animals, including the immune system, have displayed notable discrepancies when compared to real-world observations due to the diverse microbial community in natural environments. Interestingly, recent studies have unveiled the beneficial roles played by low-abundance microorganisms. Despite their rarity, these keystone taxa play a pivotal role in shaping the microbial composition and fulfilling specific functions in the host. Consequently, understanding low-abundance microorganisms has become imperative to unravel true commensalism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of important findings on how low-abundance commensal microorganisms, including low-abundance bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa, interact with the host and contribute to host phenotypes, with emphasis on the immune system. Indeed, low-abundance microorganisms play vital roles in the development of the host’s immune system, influence disease status, and play a key role in shaping microbial communities in specific niches. Understanding the roles of low-abundance microbes is important and will lead to a better understanding of the true host-microbe relationships.

Exp Mol Med. 2023 Dec;55(12):2498-2507. doi: 10.1038/s12276-023-01120-y
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38036729/