Microbiota-Immune System Interplay: Insights into Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases

The microbiota is considered to be the second genome of the human body and has evolved in harmony with its host over the centuries. In particular, the intestinal microbiota is not only involved in the nutritional metabolism of the host but is also closely related to immune regulation, such as immune homeostasis and immune response. With the continuous development of high-throughput sequencing, the composition and function of microbiota are gradually being discovered. Intestinal microbiota not only helps improve the immune microenvironment of the digestive tract but also provides valuable clues for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Under normal conditions, the flora and the host immune system are in homeostasis. When the environment changes, genetic mutations or endocrine disruptions occur, the homeostasis of the flora will become unbalanced or disturbed. Recent research suggests that microbiota plays a critical role in the development and function of the immune system. Imbalances in microbiota-immunity interplays are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of immune-related diseases. In particular, dysbiosis at the mucosal level will have a broad impact on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases of the host. It is worth mentioning that the etiology of inflammatory diseases, as well as most autoimmune diseases, remains unclear. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of the microbiota-immune system interplay and its role in the development of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases will enrich the strategies of disease diagnosis and treatment and provide new ideas for patients to improve their disease prognosis.

This Research Topic aims to explore from different perspectives the main components of the gut microbiota, the molecular mechanisms by which the microbiota affect the progression of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and the application of relevant microbial technologies or products in the diagnosis or treatment of diseases, to provide new strategies for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but are not limited to, the following subtopics,
• Mechanisms regulating the interaction between the microbiota and the immune system
• The role of microbiota-immune system interactions in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases
• Integration of multi-omics technologies to elucidate the cross-regulation of the gut microbiota and the immune system
• Microbiota-based diagnosis and drug development for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases