From UTMB: Microbiota regulation of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets. 2014 Feb;13(1):65-73.

Microbiota regulation of inflammatory bowel disease.

Evans-Marin HL, Cong Y.

Author information

• Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, 4.142C Medical Research Building, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA. yicong@utmb.edu.

Abstract

The intestines harbor over trillions of commensal bacteria, which co-evolve and form a mutualistic relationship with the host, with microbial-host interaction shaping immune adaption and bacterial communities. The intestinal microbiota not only benefits the host and contributes to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis, but also causes chronic intestinal inflammation under certain conditions. Thus, understanding the microbiota regulation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will provide great insights into the pathogenesis of IBD as well as potential therapeutics for IBD patients.