About this Research Topic
More and more studies have found that gastrointestinal diseases or disorders often accompany lung diseases. For example, up to 50% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have lung inflammation or dysfunction, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to be diagnosed with IBD. Although the intestine and lung tissues are relatively far apart in their anatomic structure, they have similar cell origins and structural similarities. Thus, there is no doubt that there is extensive communication between the intestine and lungs. This interaction, often referred to as the gut-lung axis is bidirectional, although most of what we now understand is that intestine could more likely regulate lung homeostasis. However, the exact functional significance and underlying mechanism of the gut-lung interaction axis remain largely unknown.
A wide range of microorganisms colonizes the epithelial tissue of the gastrointestinal tract and the lung region. In addition, the mucous membranes of the intestine and respiratory tract provide a physiological barrier against invading microorganisms. Thus, these colonizing microorganisms play a crucial role in the fight against invading pathogens. Studies have shown that the gut bacteria's unique composition, structure, and function and, consequently, their unique expression of bacterial metabolites usually affect the occurrence and development of lung diseases. In addition, metabolites of intestinal bacteria may protect against the development of allergy in the airways by modulating immune function. However, the exact microorganisms or microbial metabolites that play a critical role in intestinal or lung diseases through the gut-lung axis and their underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, identifying the microbial components and mechanisms that govern the gut-lung interactions is fundamental and may facilitate the development of therapeutics, both against lung and gastrointestinal diseases.
The crosstalk between host and microorganisms is still vastly unexplored. Our understanding of these interactions lies in its infancy. Contributions focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Determination of the causal relationship between gut-pulmonary interactions and lung or gut health/disease.
• The primary underlying mechanisms of intestinal and pulmonary homeostasis.
• Mode of regulation between the microbial signals, host immune function and the microbial composition and structure.
• Regulation of gut-lung interactions by the active metabolites produced by the microorganisms.
• Local and remote effects of gut or lung microenvironment on the ecological systems of microorganisms either in the gut or lung.
• Studies on development and maintenance of healthy gut-lung interactions throughout our lives (from fetus development, birth to aging).
A wide range of microorganisms colonizes the epithelial tissue of the gastrointestinal tract and the lung region. In addition, the mucous membranes of the intestine and respiratory tract provide a physiological barrier against invading microorganisms. Thus, these colonizing microorganisms play a crucial role in the fight against invading pathogens. Studies have shown that the gut bacteria's unique composition, structure, and function and, consequently, their unique expression of bacterial metabolites usually affect the occurrence and development of lung diseases. In addition, metabolites of intestinal bacteria may protect against the development of allergy in the airways by modulating immune function. However, the exact microorganisms or microbial metabolites that play a critical role in intestinal or lung diseases through the gut-lung axis and their underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Therefore, identifying the microbial components and mechanisms that govern the gut-lung interactions is fundamental and may facilitate the development of therapeutics, both against lung and gastrointestinal diseases.
The crosstalk between host and microorganisms is still vastly unexplored. Our understanding of these interactions lies in its infancy. Contributions focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:
• Determination of the causal relationship between gut-pulmonary interactions and lung or gut health/disease.
• The primary underlying mechanisms of intestinal and pulmonary homeostasis.
• Mode of regulation between the microbial signals, host immune function and the microbial composition and structure.
• Regulation of gut-lung interactions by the active metabolites produced by the microorganisms.
• Local and remote effects of gut or lung microenvironment on the ecological systems of microorganisms either in the gut or lung.
• Studies on development and maintenance of healthy gut-lung interactions throughout our lives (from fetus development, birth to aging).
Keywords: gut microbiota, lung microbiota, lung disorder, microbial metabolites, pulmonary disease, gut disease
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