Figure 1.

(A) Shows bifidobacterial extracellular structures-mediated interaction with the host immune system. Pili are depicted as black appendages (Pili+) while exopolysaccharides structures (EPS+) are displayed as light blue layers around the cells. Blue bifidobacterial shapes correspond to bifidobacterial strains. (B) Exhibits the cross-feeding effects between species of the Bifidobacterium genus and butyrate-producing bacteria. Acetate and lactate produced by bifidobacterial species by degrading mucin, HMO or diet-derived glycans become carbon sources for butyrate-producing microorganisms, stimulating a butyrogenic effect. At the bottom of the image, host immune system cells are represented.