Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...

The Oral Microbiota

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...

The Skin Microbiota

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Type I interferon primes the alveolar epithelium to receive reparative signals from tissue-resident macrophages.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Author Correction: Piezo1-dependent activation of stromal cells ignites muscle inflammation in exercise and injury and is associated with inflammaging.

Nature immunology·2026

Same author

Piezo1-dependent activation of stromal cells ignites muscle inflammation in exercise and injury and is associated with inflammaging.

Nature immunology·2026

Same author

Regulatory T cells safeguard liver health during metabolic-associated steatohepatitis.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026

Same author

Immunological knowledge.

Nature immunology·2026

Same author

The history and promise of Treg cells.

Immunity·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Microbiota and autoimmune disease: the hosted self.

Diane Mathis¹, Christophe Benoist

¹Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. cbdm@hms.harvard.edu

Cell Host & Microbe

|October 25, 2011

Summary

Mammalian microbial symbionts significantly influence immune system development and function. Recent discoveries reveal how these microbes impact autoimmune diseases, particularly gut-distal disorders, and suggest new immunomodulatory molecules.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Dynamics in Lupus-Prone Mice Using a Simple, Cost-Effective DNA Isolation Method

Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Dynamics in Lupus-Prone Mice Using a Simple, Cost-Effective DNA Isolation Method

Published on: May 2, 2022

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Dynamics in Lupus-Prone Mice Using a Simple, Cost-Effective DNA Isolation Method

Analysis of Fecal Microbiota Dynamics in Lupus-Prone Mice Using a Simple, Cost-Effective DNA Isolation Method

Published on: May 2, 2022

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions

Published on: June 30, 2021

Area of Science:

Immunology
Microbiology
Autoimmune Diseases

Background:

Mammals host trillions of microbial symbionts.
These microbes play crucial roles in immune system development and function.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight cellular and molecular mechanisms of microbial impact on autoimmune diseases.
To explore the implications for defining immunological self and nonself.
To identify potential new immunomodulatory molecules.

Main Methods:

Review of recent cellular and molecular findings.
Analysis of microbial influence on gut-distal autoimmune disorders.

Main Results:

Microbial symbionts impact the development and function of the mammalian immune system.
Specific mechanisms link microbial activity to autoimmune diseases, including gut-distal conditions.
These findings challenge existing definitions of immunological self/nonself.

Conclusions:

Microbial symbionts are key players in immune homeostasis and autoimmunity.
New avenues for understanding and treating autoimmune diseases are emerging.
Discovery of novel immunomodulatory molecules derived from microbes is a promising prospect.