Host and gut microbiota ecosystem

The host and gut microbiota ecosystem is a complex, symbiotic community of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses residing in the human gastrointestinal tract that functions as a "virtual organ" (NIH, 2023). It plays a pivotal role in host health by fermenting dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), synthesizing vitamins, and training the mucosal immune system (Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2021). This ecosystem is essential for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier and preventing the colonization of opportunistic pathogens (PubMed, 2022). Dysbiosis, or the disruption of this ecosystem's balance, is strongly associated with local and systemic diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative conditions (Cell, 2020). Therapeutic strategies targeting this ecosystem range from broad-spectrum antibiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to precision probiotics and prebiotics designed to restore diversity and function. Recent FDA approvals of microbiota-based therapies like SER-109 and Rebyota highlight the transition of the gut ecosystem from a research concept to a validated clinical target for treating recurrent infections (FDA, 2023). Furthermore, the microbiome is increasingly recognized for its role in modulating the efficacy and toxicity of systemic drugs, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors in oncology (Science, 2018).

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal microbiotaGastrointestinal ecosystemHuman gut flora

Modulation of microbial composition and metabolic output to restore host homeostasis.