Biofunctionality, ZIEL-Research Center for Nutrition and Food Science, CDD Center for Diet and Disease, Technische Universität München, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2012 Jun;129(6):1452-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.12.993. Epub 2012 Feb 8.
The human body can be considered a metaorganism made up of its own eukaryotic cells and trillions of microbes that colonize superficial body sites, such as the skin, airways, and gastrointestinal tract. The coevolution of host and microbes brought about a variety of molecular mechanisms, which ensure a peaceful relationship. The mammalian barrier and immune functions warrant simultaneous protection of the host against deleterious infections, as well as tolerance toward harmless commensals. Because these pivotal host functions evolved under high microbial pressure, they obviously depend on a complex network of microbe-host interactions. The rapid spread of immune-mediated disorders, such as autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and allergies, in westernized countries is thus thought to be due to environmentally mediated disturbances of this microbe-host interaction network. The aim of the present review is to highlight the importance of the intestinal microbiota in shaping host immune mechanisms, with particular emphasis on allergic diseases and possible intervention strategies.
人体可以被认为是一个由自身真核细胞和定植于体表部位（如皮肤、气道和胃肠道）的数万亿微生物组成的元生物体。宿主与微生物的共同进化产生了多种分子机制，确保了两者之间的和平关系。哺乳动物的屏障和免疫功能需要同时保护宿主免受有害感染，以及对无害共生菌的耐受。由于这些关键的宿主功能是在高微生物压力下进化而来的，因此它们显然依赖于微生物-宿主相互作用的复杂网络。在西方国家，免疫介导的疾病（如自身免疫性疾病、炎症性肠病和过敏）的迅速传播被认为是由于环境介导的这种微生物-宿主相互作用网络的紊乱。本综述的目的是强调肠道微生物群在塑造宿主免疫机制方面的重要性，特别强调过敏疾病和可能的干预策略。
