title: Roles of the intestinal microbiota in pathogen protection.
abstract: Hundreds of commensal bacterial species inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. This diverse microbial ecosystem plays a crucial role in the prevention and resolution of infectious diseases. In this review we will describe the major mechanisms by which the intestinal microbiota confers protection against infections, focusing on those caused by intestinal bacterial pathogens. These mechanisms include both non-immune- and immune-cell-mediated pathways, notably through bacterial production of inhibitory molecules and nutrient deprivation by the former and innate lymphoid cell-, myeloid cell- or lymphocyte-dependent stimulation by the latter. Finally, we will discuss novel therapeutic approaches based on commensal microbes and their products, which could potentially be used to combat infections.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genómica y Salud, Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública - FISABIO, Valencia, Spain; Centers of Biomedical Research Network (CIBER) in Epidemiology and Public Health, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ubeda
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genómica y Salud, Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública - FISABIO , Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Djukovic
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Genómica y Salud, Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública - FISABIO , Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Isaac