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An Intestinal Gut Organ Culture System for Analyzing Host-Microbiota Interactions
Published on: June 30, 2021
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The interplay between the innate immune system and the microbiota
Christoph A Thaiss1, Maayan Levy1, Jotham Suez1
1Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|February 22, 2014
Summary
The human body is a super-organism, with gut microbiota and the innate immune system co-evolving to maintain balance. Microbial sensing by pattern-recognition receptors ensures gut microbiota stability, while the microbiota is vital for immune system development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The human gut hosts a dense microbiota, with microbial cells outnumbering human cells 10:1.
- Humans are increasingly viewed as super-organisms comprising eukaryotic and prokaryotic components.
- The innate immune system acts as the communication interface between the host and microbiota.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key interdependencies between the innate immune system and the gut microbiota.
- To highlight the co-evolutionary relationship and feedback mechanisms governing host-microbe homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of innate immune-microbiota interactions.
- Analysis of pattern-recognition receptor (PRR) roles in microbial sensing.
- Examination of microbiota's influence on immune system development and function.
Main Results:
- Microbial sensing via PRRs is crucial for maintaining a stable gut microbial composition.
- The presence of gut microbiota is essential for the proper development and function of the host immune system.
- Elaborate interdependencies and feedback loops exist between the microbiota and innate immunity.
Conclusions:
- A symbiotic relationship exists between the human host and gut microbiota, mediated by the innate immune system.
- Mutual regulation ensures homeostasis: immune sensing stabilizes microbiota, and microbiota shapes immunity.
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