Role of the Microbiome in Human Development

Overview

Journal Gut

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2019 Jan 24

PMID 30670574

Citations 324

Authors

Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello

Filipa Godoy-Vitorino

Rob Knight

Martin J Blaser

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The host-microbiome supraorganism appears to have coevolved and the unperturbed microbial component of the dyad renders host health sustainable. This coevolution has likely shaped evolving phenotypes in all life forms on this predominantly microbial planet. The microbiota seems to exert effects on the next generation from gestation, via maternal microbiota and immune responses. The microbiota ecosystems develop, restricted to their epithelial niches by the host immune system, concomitantly with the host chronological development, providing early modulation of physiological host development and functions for nutrition, immunity and resistance to pathogens at all ages. Here, we review the role of the microbiome in human development, including evolutionary considerations, and the maternal/fetal relationships, contributions to nutrition and growth. We also discuss what constitutes a healthy microbiota, how antimicrobial modern practices are impacting the human microbiota, the associations between microbiota perturbations, host responses and diseases rocketing in urban societies and potential for future restoration.

Citing Articles

Gut over Mind: Exploring the Powerful Gut-Brain Axis.

Petrut S, Bragaru A, Munteanu A, Moldovan A, Moldovan C, Rusu E Nutrients. 2025; 17(5).

PMID: 40077713 PMC: 11901622. DOI: 10.3390/nu17050842.

The Microbiome in Asthma Heterogeneity: The Role of Multi-Omic Investigations.

Huang Y Immunol Rev. 2025; 330(1):e70015.

PMID: 40072031 PMC: 11899502. DOI: 10.1111/imr.70015.

Uterine Microbiota and Bisphenols: Novel Influencers in Reproductive Health.

Castellanos-Ruiz D, Ojeda-Borbolla J, Ruiz-Garcia O, Pena-Corona S, Martinez-Pena A, Ibarra-Rubio M J Xenobiot. 2025; 15(1).

PMID: 39997369 PMC: 11856463. DOI: 10.3390/jox15010026.

Antibiotic-associated changes in Akkermansia muciniphila alter its effects on host metabolic health.

Han Y, Teng T, Han J, Kim H Microbiome. 2025; 13(1):48.

PMID: 39920776 PMC: 11804010. DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-02023-4.

Impact of host physiology and external stressors on the bacterial community of Schmidtea mediterranea.

Bijnens K, Thijs S, Alfano R, McAmmond B, Van Hamme J, Artois T Sci Rep. 2025; 15(1):4398.

PMID: 39910204 PMC: 11799148. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86920-0.

References

Enders , Blankenship . Comparative placental structure. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2000; 38(1):3-15. DOI: 10.1016/s0169-409x(99)00003-4. View

Luzza F, Parrello T, Monteleone G, Sebkova L, Romano M, Zarrilli R . Up-regulation of IL-17 is associated with bioactive IL-8 expression in Helicobacter pylori-infected human gastric mucosa. J Immunol. 2000; 165(9):5332-7. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.9.5332. View

Schwiertz A, Gruhl B, Lobnitz M, Michel P, Radke M, Blaut M . Development of the intestinal bacterial composition in hospitalized preterm infants in comparison with breast-fed, full-term infants. Pediatr Res. 2003; 54(3):393-9. DOI: 10.1203/01.PDR.0000078274.74607.7A. View

King N . The unicellular ancestry of animal development. Dev Cell. 2004; 7(3):313-25. DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2004.08.010. View

Backhed F, Ley R, Sonnenburg J, Peterson D, Gordon J . Host-bacterial mutualism in the human intestine. Science. 2005; 307(5717):1915-20. DOI: 10.1126/science.1104816. View

Mazmanian S, Liu C, Tzianabos A, Kasper D . An immunomodulatory molecule of symbiotic bacteria directs maturation of the host immune system. Cell. 2005; 122(1):107-18. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2005.05.007. View

Harder T, Bergmann R, Kallischnigg G, Plagemann A . Duration of breastfeeding and risk of overweight: a meta-analysis. Am J Epidemiol. 2005; 162(5):397-403. DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwi222. View

Jenkinson H, Lamont R . Oral microbial communities in sickness and in health. Trends Microbiol. 2005; 13(12):589-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2005.09.006. View

Bach J . Infections and autoimmune diseases. J Autoimmun. 2005; 25 Suppl:74-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2005.09.024. View

10.

Shearer M . Vitamin K metabolism and nutriture. Blood Rev. 1992; 6(2):92-104. DOI: 10.1016/0268-960x(92)90011-e. View

11.

Davidson S, Stahl D . Transmission of nephridial bacteria of the earthworm Eisenia fetida. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006; 72(1):769-75. PMC: 1352274. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.72.1.769-775.2006. View

12.

Bjursell M, Martens E, Gordon J . Functional genomic and metabolic studies of the adaptations of a prominent adult human gut symbiont, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, to the suckling period. J Biol Chem. 2006; 281(47):36269-79. DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M606509200. View

13.

Forney L, Foster J, Ledger W . The vaginal flora of healthy women is not always dominated by Lactobacillus species. J Infect Dis. 2006; 194(10):1468-9. DOI: 10.1086/508497. View

14.

Turnbaugh P, Ley R, Mahowald M, Magrini V, Mardis E, Gordon J . An obesity-associated gut microbiome with increased capacity for energy harvest. Nature. 2006; 444(7122):1027-31. DOI: 10.1038/nature05414. View

15.

Agace W . T-cell recruitment to the intestinal mucosa. Trends Immunol. 2008; 29(11):514-22. DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2008.08.003. View

16.

Van Winckel M, De Bruyne R, Van De Velde S, Van Biervliet S . Vitamin K, an update for the paediatrician. Eur J Pediatr. 2008; 168(2):127-34. DOI: 10.1007/s00431-008-0856-1. View

17.

Bouskra D, Brezillon C, Berard M, Werts C, Varona R, Gomperts Boneca I . Lymphoid tissue genesis induced by commensals through NOD1 regulates intestinal homeostasis. Nature. 2008; 456(7221):507-10. DOI: 10.1038/nature07450. View

18.

Turnbaugh P, Hamady M, Yatsunenko T, Cantarel B, Duncan A, Ley R . A core gut microbiome in obese and lean twins. Nature. 2008; 457(7228):480-4. PMC: 2677729. DOI: 10.1038/nature07540. View

19.

Turnbaugh P, Gordon J . The core gut microbiome, energy balance and obesity. J Physiol. 2009; 587(Pt 17):4153-8. PMC: 2754355. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.174136. View

20.

Cani P, Lecourt E, Dewulf E, Sohet F, Pachikian B, Naslain D . Gut microbiota fermentation of prebiotics increases satietogenic and incretin gut peptide production with consequences for appetite sensation and glucose response after a meal. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009; 90(5):1236-43. DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28095. View