Interleukin‐1 family cytokines at the crossroads of microbiome regulation in barrier health and disease

• Published in: The FEBS journal 2024-05, Vol.291 (9), p.1849-1869
• Main Authors: Narros‐Fernández, Paloma, Chomanahalli Basavarajappa, Shrikanth, Walsh, Patrick T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cytokines; Disease; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - immunology; gut; Homeostasis; Humans; Inflammation - immunology; Inflammation - metabolism; Inflammation - microbiology; Inflammatory diseases; Interleukin-1 - genetics; Interleukin-1 - immunology; Interleukin-1 - metabolism; Interleukins; interleukin‐1 family; Intestinal Mucosa - immunology; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; Intestinal Mucosa - microbiology; Intestine; microbiome; Microbiomes; Microbiota - immunology; Microorganisms; Pathogenesis; skin; Skin - immunology; Skin - metabolism; Skin - microbiology; Skin diseases
• ISSN: 1742-464X; 1742-4658
• DOI: 10.1111/febs.16888

Recent advances in understanding how the microbiome can influence both the physiology and the pathogenesis of disease in humans have highlighted the importance of gaining a deeper insight into the complexities of the host‐microbial dialogue. In tandem with this progress, has been a greater understanding of the biological pathways which regulate both homeostasis and inflammation at barrier tissue sites, such as the skin and the gut. In this regard, the Interleukin‐1 family of cytokines, which can be segregated into IL‐1, IL‐18 and IL‐36 subfamilies, have emerged as important custodians of barrier health and immunity. With established roles as orchestrators of various inflammatory diseases in both the skin and intestine, it is now becoming clear that IL‐1 family cytokine activity is not only directly influenced by external microbes, but can also play important roles in shaping the composition of the microbiome at barrier sites. This review explores the current knowledge surrounding the evidence that places these cytokines as key mediators at the interface between the microbiome and human health and disease at the skin and intestinal barrier tissues. The interleukin1 family of cytokines, subdivided into the IL‐1, IL‐18 and IL‐36 subfamilies, are important custodians of barrier health and immunity. The cytokine activity of the IL‐1 family is not only directly influenced by external microbes, but also contributes to shaping the composition of the microbiome at barrier sites. This review overviews the key roles of these cytokines at the interface between the microbiome and the physiology/pathology of human skin and intestinal barrier tissues.