title: The gut microbiome and HIV-1 pathogenesis: a two-way street.
abstract: HIV-1 infection is associated with substantial damage to the gastrointestinal tract resulting in structural impairment of the epithelial barrier and a disruption of intestinal homeostasis. The accompanying translocation of microbial products and potentially microbes themselves from the lumen into systemic circulation has been linked to immune activation, inflammation, and HIV-1 disease progression. The importance of microbial translocation in the setting of HIV-1 infection has led to a recent focus on understanding how the communities of microbes that make up the intestinal microbiome are altered during HIV-1 infection and how they interact with mucosal immune cells to contribute to inflammation. This review details the dysbiotic intestinal communities associated with HIV-1 infection and their potential link to HIV-1 pathogenesis. We detail studies that begin to address the mechanisms driving microbiota-associated immune activation and inflammation and the various treatment strategies aimed at correcting dysbiosis and improving the overall health of HIV-1-infected individuals. Finally, we discuss how this relatively new field of research can advance to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the contribution of the gut microbiome to HIV-1 pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: aDepartment of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus bUniversity of Colorado Microbiome Research Consortium, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: Daniel N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: Cara C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D064806:Dysbiosis; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D064307:Microbiota