The Interplay between Immunity and Microbiota in Human Health and Diseases (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology in Human Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 6669

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Emergency Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
Interests: inflammation; microbiota; immunology; sepsis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of microbiota in determining health and disease is a topic that has gained more and more visibility over the last few years. Microbiota has been implied in many gastrointestinal conditions, but also in other disorders—for instance, autoimmune diseases and even cancer in some cases. In particular, microbiota appears to play an important role in modulating immune response.

The full extent of the importance of microbiota, though, is still not completely understood, and many areas are still grey in this field. In this Special Issue, we hope to collect relevant papers focusing on the role of microbiota in different conditions. Authors are welcome to send different types of articles, focusing on microbiota and its role in different conditions. We encourage authors to focus on the role of the immune system in these interactions.

Dr. Laura Franza
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • immunity
  • microbiota
  • inflammation
  • infection
  • cancer
  • autoimmune disorders
  • disease

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 6520 KiB  
Article
Skin Microbiota, Immune Cell, and Skin Fibrosis: A Comprehensive Mendelian Randomization Study
by Zirui Zhao, Yanchao Rong, Rong Yin, Ruixi Zeng, Zhongye Xu, Dongming Lv, Zhicheng Hu, Xiaoling Cao and Bing Tang
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2409; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102409 - 21 Oct 2024
Viewed by 592
Abstract
Background: Microbiota dysbiosis has been reported to lead to leaky epithelia and trigger numerous dermatological conditions. However, potential causal associations between skin microbiota and skin fibrosis and whether immune cells act as mediators remain unclear. Methods: Summary statistics of skin microbiota, immune cells, [...] Read more.
Background: Microbiota dysbiosis has been reported to lead to leaky epithelia and trigger numerous dermatological conditions. However, potential causal associations between skin microbiota and skin fibrosis and whether immune cells act as mediators remain unclear. Methods: Summary statistics of skin microbiota, immune cells, and skin fibrosis were identified from large-scale genome-wide association studies summary data. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization was performed to ascertain unidirectional causal effects between skin microbiota, immune cells, and skin fibrosis. We performed a mediation analysis to identify the role of immune cells in the pathway from skin microbiota to skin fibrosis. Results: Three specific skin microbiotas were positively associated with skin fibrosis, while the other three were negative. A total of 15 immune cell traits were associated with increased skin fibrosis risk, while 27 were associated with a decreased risk. Moreover, two immune cell traits were identified as mediating factors. Conclusions: Causal associations were identified between skin microbiota, immune cells, and skin fibrosis. There is evidence that immune cells exert mediating effects on skin microbiota in skin fibrosis. In addition, some strains exhibit different effects on skin fibrosis in distinct environments. Full article
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16 pages, 7267 KiB  
Article
Linking Microbiota Profiles to Disease Characterization in Common Variable Immunodeficiency: The Case of Granulomatous–Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease
by Marta Dafne Cabanero-Navalon, Miguel Carda-Diéguez, Pedro Moral Moral, Alex Mira, Héctor Balastegui-Martin, Miguel Salavert-Lletí and Victor Garcia-Bustos
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2239; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102239 - 1 Oct 2024
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Abstract
Background and objectives: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by decreased immunoglobulins and recurrent infections, with non-infectious complications such as granulomatous–lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) affecting up to 30% of patients. Methods: Using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, salivary, sputum, [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by decreased immunoglobulins and recurrent infections, with non-infectious complications such as granulomatous–lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD) affecting up to 30% of patients. Methods: Using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, salivary, sputum, and fecal microbiome from CVID patients with GLILD, comparing them to CVID patients without GLILD—with immune dysregulation (dCVID) and only infections (iCVID)—and healthy controls was analyzed. Results: A total of 41 CVID patients, 7 with GLILD, and 15 healthy donors were included. Global fecal biodiversity was significantly lower in GLILD patients compared to CVID subgroups and controls. GLILD patients harbored different specific bacterial communities in all niches, with some keystone species common to dCVID. Conchiformibius, Micrococcales, and Capnocytophaga are more frequent in the sputum of GLILD patients. Saliva in GLILD shows higher frequencies of Conchiformibius and Haemophilusparainfluenzae. Fecal samples from GLILD patients have higher levels of Gemella morbilorum, Lacticaseibacillus, and Cellulosimicrobium. A non-assigned Conchiformibius spp. is consistently associated with GLILD across different niches and could be a potential pathobiont or relevant microbiological marker for GLILD. Cluster network and correlation analyses show profound dysbiosis in the sputum, saliva, and feces of GLILD patients. Conclusions: These findings highlight significant microbiome alterations in CVID patients with GLILD, particularly in the respiratory tract, suggesting a possible link to both local and systemic immune dysregulation. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 1582 KiB  
Review
Complex Interactions between the Human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) and Microbiota: Their Roles in Disease Pathogenesis and Immune System Regulation
by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena, Ignacio Juarez, Christian Vaquero-Yuste, Tomás Lledo, José Manuel Martin-Villa and Fabio Suarez-Trujillo
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081928 - 22 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1089
Abstract
The relationship between microbiota and the immune system is complex and characterized by the ways in which microbiota directs immune function interactions, both innate and acquired and also keeps activating the immune system throughout an individual’s life. In this respect, the human Major [...] Read more.
The relationship between microbiota and the immune system is complex and characterized by the ways in which microbiota directs immune function interactions, both innate and acquired and also keeps activating the immune system throughout an individual’s life. In this respect, the human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC, referred to as HLA in humans) plays a crucial role and is also established in self-defense against microbes by presenting microbial-derived peptides to the immune cells. However, this assumption has some unclear aspects that should be investigated. For example, how is the microbiota shaped by microbe species diversity, quantity and functions of the immune system, as well as the role and molecular mechanisms of the HLA complex during this process. There are autoimmune diseases related to both HLA and specific microbiota changes or alterations, many of which are mentioned in the present review. In addition, the HLA peptide presenting function should be put in a framework together with its linkage to diseases and also with HLA compatibility necessary for transplants to be successful. These are still quite an enigmatically statistical and phenomenological approach, but no firm pathogenic mechanisms have been described; thus, HLA’s real functioning is still to be fully unveiled. After many years of HLA single-genes studies, firm pathogenesis mechanisms underlying disease linkage have been discovered. Finally, microbiota has been defined as conformed by bacteria, protozoa, archaea, fungi, and viruses; notwithstanding, endogenous viral sequences integrated into the human genome and other viral particles (obelisks) recently found in the digestive mucosa should be taken into account because they may influence both the microbiome and the immune system and their interactions. In this context, we propose to integrate these microbial-genetic particle components into the microbiome concept and designate it as “microgenobiota”. Full article
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21 pages, 791 KiB  
Review
Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Diseases: Exploring the Role of Microbiota and Immunity
by Laura Franza, Mario Caldarelli, Emanuele Rocco Villani and Rossella Cianci
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081645 - 24 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in Western countries, thus representing a global health concern. CVDs show different patterns in terms of the prevalence and presentation in men and women. The role of sex hormones has been [...] Read more.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of mortality and morbidity in Western countries, thus representing a global health concern. CVDs show different patterns in terms of the prevalence and presentation in men and women. The role of sex hormones has been extensively implicated in these sex-specific differences, due to the presence of the menstrual cycle and menopause in women. Moreover, the gut microbiota (GM) has been implicated in cardiovascular health, considering the growing evidence that it is involved in determining the development of specific diseases. In particular, gut-derived metabolites have been linked to CVDs and kidney disorders, which can in turn promote the progression of CVDs. Considering the differences in the composition of GM between men and women, it is possible that gut microbiota act as a mediator in regard to the sex disparities in CVDs. This narrative review aims to comprehensively review the interplay between sex, GM, and CVDs, discussing potential mechanisms and therapeutic options. Full article
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19 pages, 699 KiB  
Review
Maternal-Foetal/Infant Interactions—Gut Microbiota and Immune Health
by Ada Maria Adamczak, Alicja Werblińska, Małgorzata Jamka and Jarosław Walkowiak
Biomedicines 2024, 12(3), 490; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12030490 - 22 Feb 2024
Viewed by 2286
Abstract
In recent years, the number of scientific publications on the role of intestinal microbiota in shaping human health, as well as the occurrence of intestinal dysbiosis in various disease entities, has increased dynamically. However, there is a gap in comprehensively understanding the factors [...] Read more.
In recent years, the number of scientific publications on the role of intestinal microbiota in shaping human health, as well as the occurrence of intestinal dysbiosis in various disease entities, has increased dynamically. However, there is a gap in comprehensively understanding the factors influencing a child’s gut microbiota. This review discusses the establishment of gut microbiota and the immunological mechanisms regulating children’s microbiota, emphasising the importance of prioritising the development of appropriate gut microbiota in a child from the planning stages of pregnancy. The databases PubMed, Web of Sciences, Cochrane, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant articles. A child’s gut microbiota composition is influenced by numerous factors, such as diet during pregnancy, antibiotic therapy, the mother’s vaginal microbiota, delivery method, and, later, feeding method and environmental factors. During pregnancy, the foetus naturally acquires bacterial strains from the mother through the placenta, thereby shaping the newborn’s immune system. Inappropriate maternal vaginal microbiota may increase the risk of preterm birth. Formula-fed infants typically exhibit a more diverse microbiota than their breastfed counterparts. These factors, among others, shape the maturation of the child’s immune system, impacting the production of IgA antibodies that are central to cellular humoral immune defence. Further research should focus on identifying specific microbiota–immune system interactions influencing a child’s immune health and developing personalised treatment strategies for immune-related disorders. Full article
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