Gut Microbiota and Immune Responses

The gut is the body’s largest immune organ, consisting of both hematopoietic (macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells) and non-hematopoietic cells (epithelial cells, Paneth cells, and goblet cells). It is home to hundreds of millions of microorganisms, which collaborate with the host immune system to maintain the internal environment’s homeostasis. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in the development of inflammatory responses (including autoimmune diseases, allergies, etc.). The gut microbiota has a direct effect on the maturation of the host immune system, inducing immunoglobulin A (IgA), and regulating CD4+ T cells, including Th1, Th17, and regulatory T cells (CD4+, CD25+, Foxp3+). Along with the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), numerous molecules produced by flora may influence these immune responses. Numerous basic and clinical studies have established that controlling the gut microbiota is an effective method for treating and controlling disease. Once these mechanisms are fully understood, probiotics/prebiotics may be used to regulate the gut microbiota in order to treat diseases.