Exploring Microbiota-Immune Crosstalk in Oral and Gut Mucosa and its Impact on Systemic Disease

The oral-gut axis represents a critical area of research within the field of immunology and microbiology, focusing on the communication between distal barriers and its impact on systemic disease. The oral and gut barriers serve as essential interfaces where the microbiota interacts with host immune cells, maintaining a balance between tolerance and immune activation. However, disruptions in this balance can lead to the pathogenesis of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the role of microbiota-derived molecules in translocating and activating immune cells, which may migrate from barrier tissues to distant sites, potentially contributing to systemic disease development. Despite these advancements, there remains a significant gap in understanding the precise mechanisms of immune responses at these barrier tissues and the crosstalk between the oral and gut mucosa. Addressing these gaps is crucial for unraveling the immunopathogenesis of various local and systemic diseases and for designing effective therapeutic strategies.

This research topic aims to elucidate the complex interactions between microbiota and host immune responses in oral and gut mucosal tissues. Specifically, it seeks to uncover the microbiota- and host-derived factors that facilitate communication between oral and gut barriers. The research will also focus on understanding how these interactions influence the development and progression of systemic diseases. By exploring these dynamics, the research aims to identify novel translational approaches for designing therapeutics and vaccines that target mucosal sites, ultimately contributing to improved disease management and prevention strategies.

To gather further insights into the oral-gut axis and its implications for systemic disease, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Immune responses at oral or gut barriers in vitro and in vivo
- Crosstalk between oral or gut microbiota and immune cells
- The role of the commensal oral and gut microbiota on systemic diseases
- Modulation of gut microbiota by oral pathobionts
- Role of oral or gut microbiota and its metabolites on the modulation of local and systemic immune responses
- Effects of oral or gut dysbiosis on systemic disease
- Interaction of genetic factors in the oral or gut axis
- Antigen-presentation of microbial-derived molecules in molecular mimicry at the oral or gut barrier
- The role of host- and microbial-derived membrane vesicles on oral-gut cross-talk and systemic disease
- Therapeutic approaches directed to oral or gut microbiota and microbial-derived molecules
- Oral vaccine approaches against pathogens using bacterial-derived membrane vesicles or viral vectors.

With this Research Topic, we hope to encourage scientists, clinicians, and bioengineers to share their knowledge, groundbreaking results, and visionary perspectives to contribute to the elucidation of local and systemic immune interactions at barrier tissues and enrich this multidisciplinary discourse.

Keywords: Barrier tissues, microbiota, pathobionts, mucosal immunity, membrane vesicles, mucosal vaccines, systemic disease, oral-gut axis, mucosal barriers

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.