title: Regulation of inflammatory responses by the commensal microbiota.
abstract: It is well established that dysregulation of the interactions between the immune system and commensal bacteria is one factor that underpins the development and chronicity of a number of inflammatory diseases. Certain phyla of bacteria within the microbiota have been associated with 'health', but the mechanisms by which the presence of these bacteria supports a healthy environment are still being unravelled. Recent evidence indicates that one such mechanism involves the anti-inflammatory properties of fermentation products of fibre, short-chain fatty acids and their signalling through the G-protein coupled receptor GPR43. Recent findings also indicate that, even in health, bacterial communities harbour in the airways, indicating that direct exposure to bacterial products at this site may provide a further explanation for how commensal bacteria can regulate chronic airway inflammation.
authors.affiliation: CHUV, Service de Pneumologie, BH19.206, Rue du Bugnon 46, Lausanne, Vaud 1011, Switzerland. benjamin.marsland@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Benjamin J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Marsland
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D054892:Metagenome; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000276:immunology