Host intestinal pathways

Host intestinal pathways refer to the complex network of molecular and cellular processes within the gastrointestinal tract that regulate local and systemic homeostasis (PMC6713266). These pathways include the intestinal immune system, such as Toll-like receptor signaling and cytokine production, as well as metabolic regulation involving bile acid and short-chain fatty acid sensing (PMC6713266, PMC4521400). They also encompass the maintenance of the physical epithelial barrier through the regulation of tight junction proteins like occludin and claudins (PMC4521400). These pathways serve as the primary interface for host-microbiome interactions, where microbial-derived signals directly modulate host physiology and immune tone (Bezmialem Science 2019). Dysregulation of these pathways is a hallmark of various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes (PMC6713266). Therapeutic interventions, such as live biotherapeutic products (LBPs) like SER-109 and fecal microbiota transplants (FMT), aim to restore the balance of these pathways by normalizing the gut environment and its signaling outputs (PMC6713266, Bezmialem Science 2019).

Other names

Gut-host pathwaysIntestinal signaling pathwaysHost-microbe interface pathwaysIntestinal homeostatic pathways

Modulation of host physiological processes through microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, bile acids), direct interaction with pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), and enhancement of epithelial barrier integrity.