Microbiome-Immunity Crosstalk and Its Role in Health and Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2026) | Viewed by 6399
Special Issue Editors
Interests: behavioral psychology; psychological testing; psychological assessment; public health; neurodegenerative disease; psychological health; pathological mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The human body is home to an extensive and diverse array of microorganisms, collectively termed the microbiome. These microbial communities, particularly those in the gut, engage in continuous interaction with the immune system, shaping its development, functionality, and stability. This bidirectional communication, known as microbiome–immunity interaction, plays a pivotal role in preserving health and preventing illness. Both the innate and adaptive immune systems are profoundly shaped by microbial exposure. The colonization of the body by beneficial microbes during early life is essential for immune system maturation, guiding immune cell differentiation and response mechanisms. Disruptions in this delicate equilibrium, often due to external influences such as diet, antibiotics, or infections, can lead to immune system imbalances, increasing vulnerability to various conditions. Despite remarkable progress in microbiome research, challenges persist in proving causal links between microbiota alterations and disease. A comprehensive understanding of host–microbiota interactions will require integrating multi-omics approaches, including metagenomics, metabolomics, and immunoprofiling. Furthermore, the development of microbiome-targeted treatments, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants, offers promising avenues for managing immune-related conditions. Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to study the microbiome–immunity interaction. Given its crucial role in human health by shaping immune functions and influencing disease susceptibility, this research seeks to gain deeper insight into these interactions and explore innovative therapeutic approaches to modify the microbiome in support of immune balance and disease prevention. The following topics are proposed for the SI:
- Microorganisms involved in the maturation and modulation of the immune system;
- The immune system’s modulation of the microbiome;
- Microbiota, immune system, and brain: impacts on neurodegenerative diseases;
- Inflammatory processes associated with dysbiosis;
- The role of commensal host microbiota in regulating microglial development and homeostasis;
- Dysbiosis and autoimmune, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases;
- Prebiotics, probiotics, and psychobiotics in immune-mediated disorders;
- Lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, environment, and/or use of antibiotics and drugs;
- Clinical applications of the use of new interventions in chronic pathologies.
Prof. Dr. Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco
Dr. Sara Uceda
Guest Editors
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Keywords
- gut microbiota
- immune system
- nutrition
- inflammatory processes
- dysbiosis
- neurodegenerative diseases
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