Microbiota, disease, and back to health: a metastable journey.
Alterations in the composition of the commensal microbiota have been observed in many complex diseases. Understanding the basis for these changes, how they relate to disease risk or activity, and the mechanisms by which the symbiotic state of colonization resistance and host homeostasis is restored is critical for future therapies aimed at manipulating the microbiota.
Gastroenterology Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA. rblumberg@partners.org
Richard
R
Blumberg
Fiona
F
Powrie
D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D054892:Metagenome / Q000502:physiology*