title: Host Microbiota Contributes to Health and Response to Disease.
abstract: Recent studies have revealed that normal microbiota interacts with the host through four mechanisms: the normal microbiome acts as a barrier against pathogens; second, as modulators of the permeability of host mucosa; third, as modulators of energy extraction from, and metabolic utilization of ingested food; and lastly, as modulators of the immune system. An alteration of the normal microbiota increases predisposition of the host to diseases through these four mechanisms.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aurora
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sanford
mesh_terms: D004703:Endocrine System / Q000502:physiology; D065569:Gastrointestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000276:immunology; D008660:Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D064307:Microbiota / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology