The Role of Epithelial Cell-Microbes Interactions in Oral Health and Disease

The mucosal surfaces are continuously exposed to a huge number of potential pathogens and beneficial commensal microorganisms and this represents a constant immunological challenge. Nevertheless, microbes and host have co-evolved and developed a symbiotic relationship, in which both can co-exist without causing disease (a tolerogenic environment). The cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with immunological tolerance at mucosal surfaces, as well as the events related to its disruption, which lead to dysbiosis and inflammatory disease, remain unclear and are indeed an area of intense research. Importantly, epithelial responses driven by the microorganisms can orchestrate specific innate and immune responses that could either maintain symbiosis or in contrast lead to dysbiosis and disease. The specific mechanisms by which Epithelial-microbe interactions could promote oral mucosal health or disease remain in its early infancy. 

The goal of this Research Topic is to discuss current research and main findings associated with the role of epithelial cell-microbe interactions in oral health and disease. This will help the dental community and in particular scientists involved in the oral microbiology and immunology fields, to establish a conceptual framework to define key future research questions focused on elucidation of the oral microbiota specific effects in the oral epithelium, and the mechanisms by which oral epithelial cells differentially respond to commensal and pathogens. 

This Research Topic welcomes the submission of both basic and translational research papers (original research and reviews) around cell-microbe interactions in oral health and disease.