Gut Microbiota in Health and Disease

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health maintenance and disease pathogenesis. The largest reservoir of microbiota exists in gastrointestinal tract, both in the lumen, where microbes facilitate primary and secondary metabolism, and on mucosal surfaces, where they interact with host immune cell populations. Dysbiosis is associated with decreased microbiota function and diversity, disrupted epithelial barrier, bacterial translocation, inflammation, and local/systemic microbial-driven immunomodulation. In fact, gut dysbiosis appears to be associated with increased risk of developing inflammatory, autoimmune, and malignant diseases. In addition, it is important to explore implications of microbiota variations on drug disposition, action and toxicity.

This Research Topic particularly focuses on translational/clinical studies regarding the role of gut microbiota on relevant pathologies. Furthermore, we are focused on studies supporting the concept of overcoming treatment resistance/toxicity by modulating the gut microbiota.

All study types are welcome, including but not limited to observational studies, meta-analysis, reviews or case reports/series.