Host intestinal ecosystem and immune system

The host intestinal ecosystem and immune system, often referred to as the gut-immune axis, is a complex symbiotic network consisting of the gut microbiota, the intestinal epithelial barrier, and the mucosal immune system (NIH, 2023). This system plays a fundamental role in maintaining systemic homeostasis, training the immune system to distinguish between commensal organisms and pathogens, and regulating metabolic processes through the production of metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2017). Dysbiosis, or the imbalance of this ecosystem, is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), metabolic syndrome, and even neurodegenerative conditions (PubMed, 2021). While not a single molecular target, this system is modulated by various interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, to restore health (Cell, 2020). Furthermore, the composition of the intestinal ecosystem has been shown to significantly influence the efficacy of systemic therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment (Science, 2018).

Other names

Gut-immune axisIntestinal microbiome-immune systemGastrointestinal ecosystemMucosal immune system and microbiota

Modulation of the intestinal environment through microbial suppression, immune cell recruitment inhibition, or cytokine neutralization to restore mucosal homeostasis and systemic immune balance.