The gut ecosystem and immune tolerance

• Published in: Journal of autoimmunity 2023-12, Vol.141, p.103114-103114, Article 103114
• Main Authors: Shao, Tihong, Hsu, Ronald, Rafizadeh, Desiree L., Wang, Li, Bowlus, Christopher L., Kumar, Narendra, Mishra, Jayshree, Timilsina, Suraj, Ridgway, William M., Gershwin, M. Eric, Ansari, Aftab A., Shuai, Zongwen, Leung, Patrick S.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptive immunity; Autoimmune disease; Dysbiosis; Gut microbiota; Innate immunity; Microbial metabolites
• ISSN: 0896-8411; 1095-9157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2023.103114

The gastrointestinal tract is home to the largest microbial population in the human body. The gut microbiota plays significant roles in the development of the gut immune system and has a substantial impact on the maintenance of immune tolerance beginning in early life. These microbes interact with the immune system in a dynamic and interdependent manner. They generate immune signals by presenting a vast repertoire of antigenic determinants and microbial metabolites that influence the development, maturation and maintenance of immunological function and homeostasis. At the same time, both the innate and adaptive immune systems are involved in modulating a stable microbial ecosystem between the commensal and pathogenic microorganisms. Hence, the gut microbial population and the host immune system work together to maintain immune homeostasis synergistically. In susceptible hosts, disruption of such a harmonious state can greatly affect human health and lead to various auto-inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the interactions between the gut microbiota and immunity with an emphasis on: a) important players of gut innate and adaptive immunity; b) the contribution of gut microbial metabolites; and c) the effect of disruption of innate and adaptive immunity as well as alteration of gut microbiome on the molecular mechanisms driving autoimmunity in various autoimmune diseases. •Interaction between gut microbiota and host immunity is dynamic and interdependent.•Both innate and adaptive immunity affect the gut microbiome composition and diversity.•Gut microbial metabolites are vital in regulating homeostasis of the gut immunity.•Dysbiosis of gut microbiota is a pivotal driver of autoimmune diseases.•The causal relationship of gut microbiome in autoimmune diseases is puzzling.