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Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice
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[Phages in human health and gut microbiota transplantation therapy]

Y F Jin1, W J Wen1, T Zuo1

  • 1Institute of Gastroenterology,the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Key Laboratory of Human Microecology and Chronic Diseases of Aging, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510655, China.

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
|March 24, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Gut phages (viruses that infect bacteria) impact microbial balance, immunity, and disease. Further research is needed to understand their full role in health and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Phages are prokaryotic viruses abundant in the human gut microbiome.
  • They significantly influence gut microbial composition, metabolism, and antibiotic resistance.
  • Phages play roles in gut immunity and are implicated in immune-related diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted roles of gut phages in human health and disease.
  • To highlight the potential of phages in fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
  • To underscore the need for further research into phageome composition and function.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on gut phageome.
  • Analysis of phage-bacteria interactions.
  • Examination of phage roles in immune response and FMT.

Main Results:

  • Phages modulate bacterial populations, affecting gut microbiota balance.
  • Dysregulation of phages is linked to immune-related diseases.
  • Phages show promise in targeted bacterial reduction for FMT.

Conclusions:

  • Gut phages are critical players in maintaining gut homeostasis and influencing health outcomes.
  • Phage-based therapies, including FMT, offer potential for disease treatment.
  • Extensive research is required to fully elucidate phageome complexity, mechanisms, and therapeutic applications.

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