مقالات پذیرفته شده در نهمین کنگره بین المللی زیست پزشکی
The Interplay Between the Human Microbiome and Immune Response in Infectious Diseases: Insights and Emerging Perspectives
The Interplay Between the Human Microbiome and Immune Response in Infectious Diseases: Insights and Emerging Perspectives
AlirezaFarahnak,1,*
1. Department Of Biology , Science And Art , Yazd
Introduction: Infectious diseases remain one of the most critical global health challenges, causing substantial morbidity and mortality despite advances in medicine and public health. Traditionally, research has focused on pathogens as the primary drivers of infection; however, host-related factors are increasingly recognized as essential determinants of disease outcomes. Among these, the human microbiome the complex community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea residing within the body has emerged as a central regulator of immune function.
The microbiome is not merely a passive collection of microbes but an active participant in maintaining immune homeostasis. Commensal microbes contribute to the education of immune cells, influence inflammatory signaling, and compete with pathogens for ecological niches. Perturbations of this delicate balance, known as dysbiosis, have been linked to enhanced susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, impaired vaccine responses, and prolonged recovery.
Recent scientific advances, particularly in metagenomics and immunology, have allowed a more detailed understanding of microbiome-immune interactions. The respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, which serve as primary entry sites for many pathogens, represent critical zones of host microbiome immune interplay. Exploring these relationships provides opportunities for novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases. This study aims to synthesize current knowledge regarding the microbiome’s role in shaping immune responses, with a focus on infections of the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems
Methods: Inclusion criteria prioritized human studies, while relevant findings from animal models were incorporated to provide mechanistic insights. Data were extracted and categorized under the following domains: (1) microbiome modulation of innate immunity, (2) microbiome regulation of adaptive immunity, (3) site specific host microbiome pathogen interactions, and (4) therapeutic implications of microbiome modulation.The findings were synthesized to identify recurring mechanisms, highlight clinical correlations, and summarize emerging strategies for microbiome based interventions in infectious diseases
Results: 1. Microbiome and Innate Immunity
The microbiome influences innate immunity through interactions with epithelial and immune cells. Commensal microbes stimulate pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll like receptors, enhancing the host’s ability to recognize and respond to pathogens. Furthermore, microbial metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) promote epithelial barrier integrity and stimulate antiviral interferon production, providing a first line of defense against invading pathogens.
2. Microbiome and Adaptive Immunity
The gut microbiota plays a key role in shaping adaptive immune responses. Certain bacterial species influence T cell differentiation into Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory subsets, thereby modulating both protective immunity and tolerance. Dysbiosis has been linked to impaired antibody production and suboptimal vaccine responses. Evidence suggests that alterations in gut microbiota composition can reduce the efficacy of vaccines such as influenza and COVID-19, underlining the clinical significance of microbiome immune crosstalk.
3. Site Specific Interactions
The respiratory microbiome has been associated with susceptibility to viral infections, including influenza and SARS CoV-2. Specific genera, such as Streptococcus and Prevotella, have been shown to alter mucosal immune responses, thereby influencing infection severity. In the gastrointestinal tract, bacteria such as Bacteroides and Akkermansia regulate systemic immunity through metabolite production and immunoglobulin A (IgA) stimulation. Disruptions in these communities may permit bacterial translocation and exacerbate systemic inflammation during infections.
4. Therapeutic Implications
Several microbiome based interventions are emerging as potential strategies to mitigate infectious diseases. Probiotics and prebiotics are being tested for their ability to restore microbial balance and enhance host immunity. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has shown efficacy in recurrent infections and may provide broader applications in immune modulation. Cutting edge approaches, such as precision microbiome engineering and metabolite supplementation, are currently under investigation as tools for targeted therapeutic modulation
Conclusion: The interplay between the microbiome and immune system is fundamental to understanding infectious disease pathogenesis and host defense. Commensal microbes not only regulate immune development and function but also influence infection susceptibility and treatment outcomes. Harnessing this knowledge opens exciting possibilities for developing microbiome targeted strategies, ranging from probiotics and dietary interventions to advanced biotherapeutics.
However, significant challenges remain, including inter individual variability in microbiome composition, the complexity of microbial networks, and limitations in translating preclinical findings into human applications. Future research should focus on integrating multi omics technologies, longitudinal cohort studies, and randomized clinical trials to establish causality and identify effective microbiome based interventions.
In conclusion, advancing our understanding of microbiome immune interactions represents a frontier in infectious disease research and offers transformative opportunities for prevention, treatment, and precision medicine