Intestinal microbiota and host immune system

The intestinal microbiota and host immune system constitute a dynamic and bidirectional communication network essential for maintaining physiological homeostasis. The gut microbiota, comprising trillions of commensal microorganisms, provides critical signals that drive the maturation and regulation of the host's innate and adaptive immune systems (Belkaid & Hand, 2014). This interaction is primarily mediated through microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which influence the differentiation of regulatory T cells and the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (Honda & Littman, 2016). Dysbiosis, or the imbalance of this microbial community, is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, and systemic autoimmune disorders (Thaiss et al., 2016). Therapeutic interventions targeting this axis, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, seek to restore a healthy microbial-immune balance (Round & Mazmanian, 2009). Furthermore, the composition of the gut microbiota has been shown to significantly impact the efficacy of systemic treatments, such as cancer immunotherapies, highlighting its importance in modern precision medicine.

Other names

Gut-immune axisMicrobiota-immune crosstalkIntestinal microbiome-immune system interactionGut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) interaction

Modulation of the gut microbial composition to influence host immune signaling pathways, including the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) via short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) like Toll-like receptors (TLRs).