Microbiota regulation of gut-brain neuroimmune crosstalk in early life

In early life, the immune and nervous systems are highly plastic and engage in complex, bidirectional communication that is critical for establishing postnatal immune tolerance, gut and brain development, and responses to environmental challenges. The developing gut microbiota exerts its influence on both systems via microbial metabolites to modulate immune responses and neural function. Early disruptions in the gut microbiota, in part because of preterm delivery or antibiotic treatment, are linked to long-term immune or neurodevelopmental impairments. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding of how the microbiota crosstalk with immune cells regulates the development and function of the nervous system.