Glycans and the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiota, including bacteria, fungi and viruses has a profound effect on human health and physiology. Glycans are critical to the structure and function of the gut microbiota: (1) dietary carbohydrates are the main metabolic substrates of microbes in the large intestine, (2) host glycans provide attachment sites and nutrient source to the mucosa-associated microbiota, (3) microbial cell surface polysaccharides mediate interactions with the host immune system. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions between glycans and the gut microbiota is warranted to maximize these relationships for the benefit of human health.