Translucent, red-orange organs are shown inside a person’s transparent, blue torso. One region zooms in on blue lung alveoli covered by bright orange microbes.
Bacteria in the Lungs Can Regulate Autoimmunity in Rat Brains
Making specific alterations to the bacterial population in a rat’s lungs either better protects the animals against multiple sclerosis–like symptoms or makes them more vulnerable, a study finds—the first demonstration of a lung-brain axis.
ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, DR_MICROBE
Bacteria in the Lungs Can Regulate Autoimmunity in Rat Brains
Bacteria in the Lungs Can Regulate Autoimmunity in Rat Brains

Making specific alterations to the bacterial population in a rat’s lungs either better protects the animals against multiple sclerosis–like symptoms or makes them more vulnerable, a study finds—the first demonstration of a lung-brain axis.

Making specific alterations to the bacterial population in a rat’s lungs either better protects the animals against multiple sclerosis–like symptoms or makes them more vulnerable, a study finds—the first demonstration of a lung-brain axis.

ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, DR_MICROBE
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lung microbiome

Disturbed Microbes Contribute to Lung Damage from Oxygen Treatment
Ruth Williams | Aug 12, 2020
In humans, higher oxygen levels during ventilation are tied to an altered bacterial composition in the lungs, and mouse experiments show a causative link.
Researchers Discover New Family of Viruses
Catherine Offord | Sep 1, 2019
The redondoviruses, named for their circular DNA, inhabit the human respiratory tract and may be linked to disease.
Breathing in Bacteria
Jenny Rood | Jan 22, 2015
The healthy lung receives microbes from the mouth, a new model suggests.
Week in Review: June 9–13
Tracy Vence | Jun 13, 2014
Ancient apoptotic pathway connects humans to coral; lab-grown, light-sensing retinal tissue; tracking cancer with synthetic phospholipids; diving deep into the lung microbiome
Breathing Life into Lung Microbiome Research
Rina Shaikh-Lesko | Jun 9, 2014
Although it’s far less populated than the mouth community that helps feed it, researchers increasingly appreciate the role of the lung microbiome in respiratory health.
Cystic Fibrosis Alters Microbiome?
Edyta Zielinska | Sep 28, 2012
The microbiome of the lung is different in patients with the disease, which causes a thick buildup of mucus that makes breathing difficult.