title: The multifaceted role of commensal microbiota in homeostasis and gastrointestinal diseases.
abstract: The gastrointestinal tract houses a complex and diverse community of microbes. In recent years, an increased understanding of the importance of intestinal microbiota for human physiology has been gained. In the steady state, commensal microorganisms have a symbiotic relationship with the host and possess critical and distinct functions, including directly influencing immunity. This means that recognition of commensal antigens is necessary for the development of complete immune responses. Therefore, the immune system must face the challenge of maintaining mucosal homeostasis while dealing with undue passage of commensal or pathogenic microbes, as well as the host nutritional status or drug use. Disruption of this fine balance has been associated with the development of several intestinal inflammatory diseases. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms involved in the modulation of host-microbe interactions and how the breakdown of this homeostatic association can lead to intestinal inflammation and pathology.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biomarcadores Tumorais e Osteoimunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de Uberlândia, Avenida Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo José Barbosa
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Gnotobiologia e Imunologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, ICB/UFMG, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Matheus Batista Heitor
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biomarcadores Tumorais e Osteoimunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de Uberlândia, Avenida Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Brunna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: dos Anjos Pultz
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biomarcadores Tumorais e Osteoimunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de Uberlândia, Avenida Pará 1720, 38400-902 Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pereira Silva
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Gnotobiologia e Imunologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, ICB/UFMG, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mateus Eustáquio de Moura
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Gnotobiologia e Imunologia, Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, ICB/UFMG, Avenida Antonio Carlos 6627, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Liliane Martins
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: dos Santos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D064806:Dysbiosis / Q000276:immunology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D019936:Probiotics