Cited by 474Gut microbiota and healthClostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens researchPlant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity

Microbiota-mediated colonization resistance: mechanisms and regulation

Open access
Caballero-Flores, Gustavo, Pickard, Joseph M., Núñez, Gabriel·2023·Nature Reviews Microbiology

Abstract

A dense and diverse microbial community inhabits the gut and many epithelial surfaces. Referred to as the microbiota, it co-evolved with the host and is beneficial for many host physiological processes. A major function of these symbiotic microorganisms is protection against pathogen colonization and overgrowth of indigenous pathobionts. Dysbiosis of the normal microbial community increases the risk of pathogen infection and overgrowth of harmful pathobionts. The protective mechanisms conferred by the microbiota are complex and include competitive microbial-microbial interactions and induction of host immune responses. Pathogens, in turn, have evolved multiple strategies to subvert colonization resistance conferred by the microbiota. Understanding the mechanisms by which microbial symbionts limit pathogen colonization should guide the development of new therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat disease.

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Crossref · 10.1038/s41579-022-00833-7

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  • The gut microbiota protects against intestinal colonization by pathogens via colonization resistance through both direct and indirect mechanisms.

    “The gut microbiota protects against intestinal colonization by pathogens via colonization resistance through both direct and indirect mechanisms.”
  • Examples of direct mechanisms of colonization resistance include nutrient competition between gut commensals and pathogens, production of inhibitory metabolites by gut commensals, production of bacteriocins by gut commensals, and the presence of bacteriophages.

    “Examples of direct mechanisms of colonization resistance include nutrient competition between gut commensals and pathogens, production of inhibitory metabolites by gut commensals, production of bacteriocins by gut commensals, and the presence of bacteriophages [33, 34].”
  • Examples of indirect mechanisms of colonization resistance include interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune response, changes in the gut microbiota that influence oxygen availability, modulation of the mucus layer by the gut microbiota, and promotion of cytokine release by the gut microbiota.

    “Indirect mechanisms of colonization resistance include interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune response, changes in the gut microbiota that influence oxygen availability, modulation of the mucus layer by the gut microbiota, and promotion of cytokine release by the gut microbiota [34].”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. [13]Hutchinson GE An Introduction to Population Ecology (Yale Univ. Press, 1978).

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Authors
Caballero-Flores, G., Pickard, J. M., & Núñez, G.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
  • Caballero-Flores, Gustavo
  • Núñez, Gabriel
Venue
Nature Reviews Microbiology
Published
2022-12-20
Volume
21
Issue
6
Pages
347-360
ISSN
  • 1740-1526 (ISSN-L)
  • 1740-1534
OpenAlex
W4312065785
Cited by
474
References
196
Citations by year
2026: 160 · 2025: 182 · 2024: 100 · 2023: 32
FWCI
8.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Nature Reviews Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (K99-R00)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (K99AI159620, R00AI159620)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK095782)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
Keywords
gut microbiota, colonization resistance, pathogen colonization, dysbiosis, pathobionts, microbial competition, host immune response, host-microbe interactions, microbiota-based therapy
MeSH terms
Immunity, Microbiota

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