Gut microbiome-immune axis

The gut microbiome-immune axis refers to the dynamic, bidirectional communication and regulatory network between the gut microbial community and the host immune system. This axis is not a single molecule, receptor, or protein, but rather an overarching concept describing molecular and cellular cross-talk, involving both innate and adaptive immunity, that profoundly influences human health and disease susceptibility. Gut microbes interact with the immune system through microbial products (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites), pattern recognition receptors (such as Toll-like receptors), and immune cell modulation, impacting processes such as inflammation, metabolism, protection against pathogens, and the maintenance of mucosal homeostasis. Disruption of the gut microbiome-immune axis has been linked to diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and metabolic syndromes. Therapeutic strategies currently under study target this axis with interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and engineered bacterial consortia, but significant challenges such as individual microbiome variability and safety remain[1][2][4][5][6].\n\nNote: The gut microbiome-immune axis is not a defined molecular therapeutic target (e.g., a receptor or enzyme) but rather a conceptual framework or system. Therefore, it does not fit traditional molecular classification as a "therapeutic target" and is marked as incorrect for that field.

Other names

microbiota-immune axisgut microbiota-immune axishost-microbiota-immune axisgut microbiota-immune-brain axisgut-microbiome-immune axis

Modulate gut microbial composition, influence immune cell differentiation and function, modulate release of microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, neurotransmitters), affect cytokine and chemokine profiles, and impact epithelial barrier function.