The interplay between the gut microbiota and the immune system

Abstract

The impact of the gut microbiota on immune homeostasis within the gut and, importantly, also at systemic sites has gained tremendous research interest over the last few years. The intestinal microbiota is an integral component of a fascinating ecosystem that interacts with and benefits its host on several complex levels to achieve a mutualistic relationship. Host-microbial homeostasis involves appropriate immune regulation within the gut mucosa to maintain a healthy gut while preventing uncontrolled immune responses against the beneficial commensal microbiota potentially leading to chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Furthermore, recent studies suggest that the microbiota composition might impact on the susceptibility to immune-mediated disorders such as autoimmunity and allergy. Understanding how the microbiota modulates susceptibility to these diseases is an important step toward better prevention or treatment options for such diseases.

The effects of indoor and outdoor dust exposure on the growth, sensitivity to oxidative-stress, and biofilm production of three opportunistic bacterial pathogens

“…Surprisingly, while a plethora of studies have focused solely on the impact of dust on eukaryotic cells, a limited number have attempted to characterize the effects of dust on bacteria. This is of significance since abnormal changes in normal bacterial flora have been linked to obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, poor immune responses, sensitivity to allergens, dermatitis and, quite recently, reduced efficacy of anti-tumor treatments (Cao et al, 2014;Ferreira et al, 2014;Geuking et al, 2014;Iida et al, 2013;Khan et al, 2014;Kotzampassi et al, 2014;Lee and Lee, 2014;Robles Alonso and Guarner, 2013;Viaud et al, 2014a,b;Weyrich et al, 2015). One recent study sought to determine seasonal contributions to the toxicity of various PM components (including microbes) on a cultured mouse macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7 cells).…”

Induction of regulatory T cells: A role for probiotics and prebiotics to suppress autoimmunity

“…The protective effects associated with these microbes are mediated by multiple mechanisms involving T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and epithelial cells. Recent studies have suggested that commensal microbiota is actively involved in the development of adaptive immune responses by programming many aspects of CD4 + T cell differentiation [6].…”

Envolvimento Da Flora Intestinal Na Modulação De Doenças Psiquiátricas

“…A influência da microbiota intestinal sobre os demais sistemas pode ter consequências até a fase adulta, podendo manifestar-se através de alterações no metabolismo e da resposta imunológica. Tais modificações podem tornar o indivíduo mais resiliente ou mais suscetível ao desenvolvimento de psicopatologias (23)(24)(25). Aos três anos de idade, a flora intestinal começa a se estabilizar e assume um padrão semelhante à microbiota do indivíduo adulto.…”