Microbiota and host immune responses: a love–hate relationship

Summary A complex relationship between the microbiota and the host emerges early at birth and continues throughout life. The microbiota includes the prokaryotes, viruses and eukaryotes living among us, all of which interact to different extents with various organs and tissues in the body, including...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Immunology 2016-01, Vol.147 (1), p.1-10
Main Authors: Tomkovich, Sarah, Jobin, Christian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptive Immunity
Gastrointestinal Microbiome - immunology
Gastrointestinal Tract - immunology
Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology
Host-Pathogen Interactions
host–microbe interactions
Humans
Immune system
Immunity, Innate
immunology
Male
microbiota
Microbiota - immunology
Microbiota Interactions with Innate and Adaptive Immunity Review Series
Review
Signal Transduction
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Summary:Summary A complex relationship between the microbiota and the host emerges early at birth and continues throughout life. The microbiota includes the prokaryotes, viruses and eukaryotes living among us, all of which interact to different extents with various organs and tissues in the body, including the immune system. Although the microbiota is most dense in the lower intestine, its influence on host immunity extends beyond the gastrointestinal tract. These interactions with the immune system operate through the actions of various microbial structures and metabolites, with outcomes ranging from beneficial to deleterious for the host. These differential outcomes are dictated by host factors, environment, and the type of microbes or products present in a specific ecosystem. It is also becoming clear that the microbes are in turn affected and respond to the host immune system. Disruption of this complex dialogue between host and microbiota can lead to immune pathologies such as inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes and obesity. This review will discuss recent advances regarding the ways in which the host immune system and microbiota interact and communicate with one another.
ISSN:0019-2805
1365-2567
DOI:10.1111/imm.12538