The Role Of Dietary Interventions In The Regulation Of Host Microbe Interactions

The Role of Dietary Interventions in The Regulation of Host-Microbe Interactions

The Role of Dietary Interventions in The Regulation of Host-Microbe Interactions: Volume II

Given the success of Volume I of this Research Topic, we are pleased to announce the launch of Volume II of The Role of Dietary Interventions in The Regulation of Host-Microbe Interactions. Nowadays, emerging evidence indicates that targeted diet could be an important tool for fighting ageing and diseases via adjusting the intestinal microbial composition. Besides, probiotics and specific strains isolated from human gut microbiota can also directly regulate host health and disease. Gut microbiota breaks down and biotransforms dietary and host-derived components, and these end products as well as bacterial surface components or secretions not only support host growth, but also possess signalling functions on systemic immune and metabolic responses. Although metagenomics, metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics are widely used to explore the interactions among microbiota with environments, diets, and diseases, it is more important to identify the key bacteria by means of these genomics, and isolate the targeted bacteria via cultivating omics, further studying their biological characteristics, their impact on the host.

Understanding and Exploiting Host-Commensal Interactions to Combat Pathogens

Trillions of commensal microbes reside on and inside the human body, including the intestinal and respiratory tracts, which encompass various microbial taxa, such as bacteria, fungi, archea and viruses. The close proximity of microbes with the host provides an opportunity to continually interact with each other. Advances in research approaches, including high-throughput sequencing, have allowed us to study host and commensal microbes at the genetic and functional levels. Recent studies suggest that commensal microbes play a crucial role in the development of the host’s immune system and induce innate and adaptive immune responses against pathogens. It is also becoming apparent that the gut commensals are endowed with a capacity to alter immune responses in organs beyond the intestine, such as the lungs, highlighting the significance of the gut commensals in controlling systemic immunity. On the other hand, the host’s immune system possesses the ability to shape the repertoire of commensal microbes and contribute to the establishment of beneficial relationships with them. A better understanding of host-commensal interactions will be important for designing effective vaccines and therapeutics against pathogens. This Research Topic sheds light on our current understanding of the interplay between the host’s immune system and commensal microbes and how this interplay can be exploited for prophylactic and/or therapeutic strategies against pathogens.