The cross talk between microbiota and the immune system: metabolites take center stage
Abstract
The human meta-organism consists of more than 90% of microbial cells. The gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of commensal microorganisms that influence the development and homeostasis of the host. Alterations in composition and function of the microbiota, termed dysbiosis, have been implicated in a multitude of metabolic and inflammatory diseases in humans. Thus, understanding the molecular underpinnings the cross talk between commensal bacteria and their host during homeostasis and dysbiosis may hold the key to understanding many idiopathic diseases. While most attention has focused on the innate recognition of immune-stimulatory bacterial molecules, such as cell wall components and nucleic acids, we emphasize here the impact of diet-dependent microbial metabolites on the development and function of the immune system.
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Ageing is associated with a reduction in beneficial commensal microorganisms such as Coprococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Lactobacillus, and a decrease in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio.
“Despite large variability in the gut microbiota found in different populations, geographic regions, and settings, evidence suggests that ageing is associated with a reduction in beneficial commensal microorganisms — such as Coprococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Lactobacillus — as well as a decrease in the Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio66–68.”
From Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty (2018) · cites this paper as [68]
Beneficial commensal microorganisms normally counteract expansion of pathogenic microbial communities and maintain intestinal barrier integrity by fermenting starches and dietary fibres and producing mucus and lipid metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids.
“The disappearance of these microorganisms is important because they normally counteract the expansion of pathogenic microbial communities, while also maintaining intestinal barrier integrity by fermenting starches and dietary fibres and producing mucus and lipid metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate)66–68.”
From Inflammageing: chronic inflammation in ageing, cardiovascular disease, and frailty (2018) · cites this paper as [68]
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References 115 · Cited by 189
- Authors
- Shapiro, H., Thaiss, C. A., Levy, M., & Elinav, E.
- Affiliations
- Weizmann Institute of Science (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Elinav, Eran
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Immunology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2014-10
- Volume
- 30
- Pages
- 54-62
- ISSN
- 0952-7915 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2132629114
- Cited by
- 189
- References
- 115
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 4
- FWCI
- 1.38
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Immunology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Yael and Rami Ungar, Israel
- Abisch Frenkel Foundation for the Promotion of Life Sciences
- Gurwin Family Fund for Scientific Research,
- Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
- Crown Endowment Fund for Immunological Research
- Estate of Jack Gitlitz
- Estate of Lydia Hershkovich
- European Research Council
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
- Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Keywords
- gut microbiota, host-microbe interactions, microbial metabolites, diet, immune system development, immune homeostasis, dysbiosis, commensal bacteria, innate immunity, inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Bile Acids and Salts, Fatty Acids, Humans, Immune System, Polysaccharides, Vitamins, Microbiota
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