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A Gut-on-a-Chip Model to Study the Gut Microbiome-Nervous System Axis
Published on: July 28, 2023
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Exploring the Gut Fungi-Lung Allergy Axis.
Akira Shibuya1, Kazuko Shibuya2
1Department of Immunology, Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan; Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
Cell Host & Microbe
|December 14, 2018
Summary
Gut fungi imbalance worsens colitis and lung allergies. Specialized immune cells in the gut (CX3CR1+ mononuclear phagocytes) control this lung-gut axis communication during health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Gut fungal dysbiosis is linked to inflammatory conditions like colitis and allergic lung diseases.
- The gut-lung axis represents a critical communication pathway between intestinal and respiratory systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gut-resident mononuclear phagocytes in mediating immune responses along the gut-lung axis.
- To understand how intestinal fungi influence systemic immunity via these immune cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse models to study gut fungal dysbiosis and its impact on colitis and lung allergy.
- Focused on characterizing CX3CR1+ mononuclear phagocytes in the gut.
- Analyzed immune cell crosstalk between the intestine and lungs.
Main Results:
- Gut fungal dysbiosis was observed to exacerbate both colitis and lung allergy.
- CX3CR1+ mononuclear phagocytes in the gut were identified as key mediators of communication.
- These cells facilitate immune crosstalk along the lung-gut axis during homeostasis and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Gut-resident CX3CR1+ mononuclear phagocytes play a crucial role in regulating systemic immunity in response to gut fungi.
- Targeting these immune cells may offer therapeutic strategies for inflammatory and allergic diseases affecting the gut and lungs.
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