Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are microbial metabolites that regulate mucosal barrier integrity and immune cell functions. This Review summarizes latest insights into how SCFA levels might determine inflammatory and allergic disease outcomes by controlling the crosstalk between diet, the microbiome and immunity.

Haematological malignancies are associated with inflammation in the bone marrow. In this Review, the authors discuss how tumour-associated inflammation affects the normal functions of the bone marrow and supports the outgrowth and survival of malignant cells. Moreover, they describe how the inflammatory changes in the bone marrow differ in myeloid and lymphoid malignancies.

This Review explains how cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The author highlights the cytokine-targeting drugs that are already being successfully used in the clinic and discusses the potential of other cytokine-modulating drugs in IBD.

In this Perspective article, Ley and colleagues explain the association between atherosclerosis and the loss of tolerance to self-proteins. They discuss why re-establishing immune tolerance could improve outcomes for patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.