Intestinal microbiome and host cell ecosystem

The intestinal microbiome and host cell ecosystem refers to the vast and complex community of microorganisms—including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses—that reside within the human gastrointestinal tract and interact intimately with host epithelial and immune cells (NIH, 2012). This ecosystem is fundamental to human physiology, contributing to the fermentation of non-digestible dietary fibers, the synthesis of vitamins K and B12, and the maturation of the mucosal immune system (Nature, 2020). A healthy, diverse microbiome maintains the integrity of the intestinal barrier and prevents the colonization of pathogens through niche competition. Dysregulation of this system, termed dysbiosis, is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous local and systemic diseases, ranging from Crohn's disease to metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer (Science, 2012). While not a single molecular target, the ecosystem is a major focus of therapeutic intervention; drugs can either directly target specific microbes (antibiotics), introduce beneficial species (probiotics), or be metabolized by the flora, which significantly alters drug efficacy and toxicity (PubMed, 2014).

Other names

Gut microbiotaGut microbiomeIntestinal floraHost-microbe interfaceGastrointestinal ecosystem

Modulation of microbial composition and diversity, production of bioactive metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, competitive inhibition of pathogens, and regulation of host mucosal immunity.