Cooperative Microbe-Host Carbon Metabolism Drives Drosophila Regenerative Response

The gut microbiome is a collaborative intermediary between host diet and metabolism. Previous work from our lab in multiple species including in Drosophila, demonstrates that modulating nutrients can promote regeneration processes. Motivated by the roles of nutrients, in my thesis, I examined the role of the microbiome. I found that systemic administration of a single strain of Lactobacillus brevis promotes activation of regeneration processes in injured limbs. The regeneration-promoting effect of Lactobacillus can be recapitulated by lactate, TCA metabolites, and genetically overexpressing lactate dehydrogenase. Finally, in collaboration with Gloria Bates, we found that directly supplying lactate can promote partial limb regrowth. These experiments support growing evidence that bacteria can promote host regeneration processes, and propose a role for lactate in fuelling this host-microbe interaction.