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Control of pathogens and pathobionts by the gut microbiota

Nature Immunology volume 14, pages 685–690 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

A dense resident microbial community in the gut, referred as the commensal microbiota, coevolved with the host and is essential for many host physiological processes that include enhancement of the intestinal epithelial barrier, development of the immune system and acquisition of nutrients. A major function of the microbiota is protection against colonization by pathogens and overgrowth of indigenous pathobionts that can result from the disruption of the healthy microbial community. The mechanisms that regulate the ability of the microbiota to restrain pathogen growth are complex and include competitive metabolic interactions, localization to intestinal niches and induction of host immune responses. Pathogens, in turn, have evolved strategies to escape from commensal-mediated resistance to colonization. Thus, the interplay between commensals and pathogens or indigenous pathobionts is critical for controlling infection and disease. Understanding pathogen-commensal interactions may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treating infectious diseases.

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Figure 1: Localization of dominant bacterial groups in the intestine.
Figure 2: Commensal microbiota prevents colonization by exogenous pathogens and pathobionts.
Figure 3: Pathogens overcome commensal-mediated resistance through multiple strategies.

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Acknowledgements

We thank E. Martens for critical review of the manuscript. Studies on the microbiota in our laboratory are supported by grants from US National Institutes of Health, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. N.K. is supported by a Research Fellowship from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Nobuhiko Kamada, Naohiro Inohara & Gabriel Núñez

  2. Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Nobuhiko Kamada, Grace Y Chen & Gabriel Núñez

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

    Grace Y Chen

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Correspondence to Gabriel Núñez.

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Kamada, N., Chen, G., Inohara, N. et al. Control of pathogens and pathobionts by the gut microbiota. Nat Immunol 14, 685–690 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ni.2608

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