About this Research Topic
The relationship between nutritional status and immunity has been a topic of study for more than five decades. Major developments in our understanding of the organization and regulation of the immune system have indicated a close relationship between host nutritional status and systemic immunity. However, surprisingly little is known regarding the impact of nutrition on the mucosal immune system (and vice-versa) of the digestive tract, a system that functions almost independently from the systemic immune apparatus. The objective of this Research Topic is to formulate innovative hypotheses regarding specific mechanisms by which macro- and micro-nutrients affect gut immunity. A better understanding of the links between nutrients, the gut microbiome and the intestinal immune system should pave the way to the development of innovative approaches that target activation of specific immunological pathways for promoting host's gut defense. Such knowledge should impact on the development of vaccine formulations and intervention strategies for improved control of enteric infections in malnourished children.
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