Interactions between the microbiota and the immune system

Science. 2012 Jun 8;336(6086):1268-73. doi: 10.1126/science.1223490. Epub 2012 Jun 6.

Abstract

The large numbers of microorganisms that inhabit mammalian body surfaces have a highly coevolved relationship with the immune system. Although many of these microbes carry out functions that are critical for host physiology, they nevertheless pose the threat of breach with ensuing pathologies. The mammalian immune system plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis with resident microbial communities, thus ensuring that the mutualistic nature of the host-microbial relationship is maintained. At the same time, resident bacteria profoundly shape mammalian immunity. Here, we review advances in our understanding of the interactions between resident microbes and the immune system and the implications of these findings for human health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / microbiology
  • Bacteria / immunology
  • Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
  • Germ-Free Life
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Immunity*
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunity, Mucosal
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Inflammation
  • Intestines / immunology*
  • Intestines / microbiology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / immunology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / microbiology
  • Metagenome / immunology
  • Metagenome / physiology*
  • Symbiosis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology