Immuno-ecology: how the microbiome regulates tolerance and autoimmunity

Alexandra Paun; Jayne S Danska

doi:10.1016/j.coi.2015.09.004

Immuno-ecology: how the microbiome regulates tolerance and autoimmunity

Curr Opin Immunol. 2015 Dec:37:34-9. doi: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.09.004.

Authors

Alexandra Paun¹, Jayne S Danska²

Affiliations

¹ Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 26460968
DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2015.09.004

Abstract

The trillions of microorganisms populating the mammalian mucosal surfaces (i.e. the microbiome) participate in the development and function of the host immune system that acts to balance clearance of pathogens with tolerance of beneficial commensals. Recent advances in mucosal immunology and culture-independent sequencing of microbial communities provide support for the hypothesis that the alterations in commensal microbiota alter the host immune response and can enhance risk for autoimmune disease in distant organs. Further explorations of the host-microbiota relationship will improve our understanding of autoimmune disorders and facilitate the discovery of a bacterial-based immunomodulators.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Autoimmune Diseases / immunology*
Autoimmune Diseases / microbiology
Autoimmunity*
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Homeostasis
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Humans
Immune Tolerance*
Immunity, Mucosal
Immunomodulation
Microbiota / immunology*
Risk

Grants and funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Canada