The mycobiome: interactions with host and implications in diseases
Yani Fan1, Lijuan Wu2, Bing Zhai3
1Clinical laboratory, Shenzhen Bao'an Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China; Maternal-Fetal Medicine Institute, Shenzhen Bao'an Women's and Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|August 1, 2023
Summary
The human mycobiome, fungi on mucosal surfaces, is crucial for immune development and health. Disruptions (dysbiosis) are linked to diseases, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Human Health
Background:
- The human mycobiome, fungal communities on mucosal surfaces, is increasingly recognized for its role from birth through adulthood.
- Fungi are integral to immune system development and maintaining homeostasis.
- Recent advancements have significantly expanded our understanding of the mycobiome's composition and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research progress on the human mycobiome across diverse body sites.
- To explore the intricate interactions between the mycobiome and the host immune system.
- To discuss the implications of mycobiome dysbiosis in disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on the human mycobiome.
- Analysis of studies investigating mycobiome composition and function at various human body sites.
- Synthesis of findings on host-mycobiome-immune interactions and disease associations.
Main Results:
- The human mycobiome colonizes multiple mucosal sites, including the gastrointestinal, respiratory, urogenital, and oral tracts, as well as skin and tumor tissues.
- Significant research efforts have focused on characterizing mycobiome-immune system interactions, particularly within the gastrointestinal tract.
- Mycobiome dysbiosis is implicated in the progression of various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases, alcoholic liver diseases, systemic infections, and cancers.
Conclusions:
- The human mycobiome plays a vital role in immune homeostasis.
- Dysbiosis of the mycobiome is associated with numerous pathological conditions.
- Targeting the mycobiome presents a promising avenue for novel therapeutic interventions against life-threatening diseases.
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