Intestinal microbiota and gut-associated immune system (GIA)

The intestinal microbiota and gut-associated immune system (GALT) constitute a dynamic ecosystem that plays a critical role in maintaining systemic homeostasis. The gut microbiota, comprising bacteria, fungi, and viruses, interacts continuously with the GALT, which is the largest collection of lymphoid tissue in the human body (Belkaid & Hand, 2014). This interaction is fundamental for the maturation of the immune system, the induction of oral tolerance, and the protection against enteric pathogens (Round & Mazmanian, 2009). Microbial-derived metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), act as signaling molecules that influence the differentiation of regulatory T cells and the integrity of the intestinal barrier (Thaiss et al., 2016). Disruptions in this delicate balance, known as dysbiosis, are implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and metabolic syndromes. Therapeutic interventions targeting this axis, including live biotherapeutics and fecal microbiota transplants, aim to restore microbial diversity and normalize host immune responses.

Other names

Gut-immune axisMicrobiota-GALT axisIntestinal microbiome-immune system interactionGut microbiota-immune system axis

Modulation of microbial composition and diversity, regulation of cytokine production, and enhancement of intestinal barrier function.