Review for 10.1186/s12876-015-0388-x (2015)

Reviewer ’s report  
Title: The gut microbiome as a target for regulatory T cell -based immunotherapy: Induction of  
regulatory lymphocytes by oral administration of anti -LPS enriched colostrum alleviates immune  
mediated colitis  
 
Version: 0 Date: 30 Sep 2015  
Reviewer: Yue Li  
Reviewer's report:  
This is a basic research study to determine the immune m odulatory effect of anti -LPS enriched 
hyperimmune colostrum, and its ability to induce Tregs and alleviate immune mediated colitis. 
This study is well designed and the article is also well organized. This is the first study shows the 
effect of anti -LPS ant ibody in animal model of colitis. Some revision is suggested as following.  
- Revisions  
Page 4, METHODS, Line 39 -40 
Each group of mice has only 4 mice, which might be a key factor leading to statistic significance.  
Page 4， METHODS, Line 50 -51 
Grading of colon histology. More details of how the colon biopsy has been processed and the 
criteria of the grading system need to be addressed in Methods.  
Page 6, RESULTS, Line 14 -27 
To describe the histology results, a table with P values might be more suitable than the figure.  
Figure 2B  
Please add the magnification times.  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work includ e the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess  the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in th e future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
I declare that I have no competing interests  
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