Emerging Pathogenic Links Between Microbiota and the Gut-lung Axis

Overview

Journal Nat Rev Microbiol

Specialties Infectious Diseases
Microbiology

Date 2016 Nov 8

PMID 27694885

Citations 678

Authors

Kurtis F Budden

Shaan L Gellatly

David L A Wood

Matthew A Cooper

Mark Morrison

Philip Hugenholtz

Philip M Hansbro

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The microbiota is vital for the development of the immune system and homeostasis. Changes in microbial composition and function, termed dysbiosis, in the respiratory tract and the gut have recently been linked to alterations in immune responses and to disease development in the lungs. In this Opinion article, we review the microbial species that are usually found in healthy gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, their dysbiosis in disease and interactions with the gut-lung axis. Although the gut-lung axis is only beginning to be understood, emerging evidence indicates that there is potential for manipulation of the gut microbiota in the treatment of lung diseases.

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