Host intestinal and immune pathways and gut microbiota ecosystem

The host intestinal and immune pathways and gut microbiota ecosystem represents the integrated biological network comprising the gut microbiome, the intestinal epithelial barrier, and the mucosal immune system. This ecosystem is not a single molecular target but a complex axis that regulates systemic homeostasis, metabolic health, and immune tolerance (Belkaid & Hand, 2014, Science). The gut microbiota interacts with host cells through the production of metabolites like short-chain fatty acids and the presentation of pathogen-associated molecular patterns, which influence the differentiation of T-cells and the production of cytokines (Fan & Pedersen, 2021, Nature Reviews Microbiology). Disruptions in this balance, known as dysbiosis, are strongly linked to the development of inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and metabolic syndromes (Glassner et al., 2020, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology). Pharmacological and therapeutic strategies targeting this system include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants to restore microbial diversity, as well as biologics that target specific immune mediators within the axis. Because of its multi-faceted nature, this ecosystem presents a challenge for traditional drug discovery, requiring a systems-biology approach to identify specific nodes for intervention.

Other names

Gut-immune axisGut microbiota-host interactionIntestinal microbiome-immune system axisMucosal immune system-microbiota crosstalk

Modulation of the gut microbial composition and host immune signaling to restore intestinal homeostasis and barrier integrity.