College
College of Arts and Sciences
Mentor Information
Olukemi Akintewe
Description
Increasing evidence links the gut microbiome to immune regulation, homeostasis, and infectious outcomes. Although gut dysbiosis is associated with impaired immune responses, the mechanisms linking microbial imbalance to immune dysfunction and diseases remain under-investigated. This study aims to investigate how changes in the gut microbiome contribute to immune dysfunction and disease progression, and whether biomarkers can improve the prediction of disease outcomes and therapeutic responses. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies explaining the relationship between gut microbiome dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. This was conducted by searching select words such as ‘Gut microbiome’, ‘Gut dysbiosis’, and ‘microbial imbalance’ using PubMed and Google Scholar. After screening non-duplicate articles using predefined criteria, 115 eligible studies were analyzed for regulated links between microbial imbalance and disease outcomes. The literature suggests that the gut microbiome modulates the immune system through its role in pathology and immune mechanisms. Microbiome equilibrium is maintained by short-chain fatty acids, regulatory T cells (e.g., CD4+), and probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which help regulate immune responses against pathogens. Microbial diversity and richness are essential for maintaining homeostasis through colonization resistance, including competition with and lysis of harmful bacteria. Dysbiosis and microbiota inflammation are strongly linked to dysfunctional immune responses and disease, including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions, HBV-CLD, and urinary tract infections. These findings show that a balanced gut microbiome is critical for immune regulation, as disrupted microbial diversity weakens immune responses, contributes to disease, and highlights microbiome-targeted therapies for immune- mediated and infectious conditions.
Investigating the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Modulating Immune Responses to Infections
Increasing evidence links the gut microbiome to immune regulation, homeostasis, and infectious outcomes. Although gut dysbiosis is associated with impaired immune responses, the mechanisms linking microbial imbalance to immune dysfunction and diseases remain under-investigated. This study aims to investigate how changes in the gut microbiome contribute to immune dysfunction and disease progression, and whether biomarkers can improve the prediction of disease outcomes and therapeutic responses. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify peer-reviewed studies explaining the relationship between gut microbiome dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. This was conducted by searching select words such as ‘Gut microbiome’, ‘Gut dysbiosis’, and ‘microbial imbalance’ using PubMed and Google Scholar. After screening non-duplicate articles using predefined criteria, 115 eligible studies were analyzed for regulated links between microbial imbalance and disease outcomes. The literature suggests that the gut microbiome modulates the immune system through its role in pathology and immune mechanisms. Microbiome equilibrium is maintained by short-chain fatty acids, regulatory T cells (e.g., CD4+), and probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus, which help regulate immune responses against pathogens. Microbial diversity and richness are essential for maintaining homeostasis through colonization resistance, including competition with and lysis of harmful bacteria. Dysbiosis and microbiota inflammation are strongly linked to dysfunctional immune responses and disease, including inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune conditions, HBV-CLD, and urinary tract infections. These findings show that a balanced gut microbiome is critical for immune regulation, as disrupted microbial diversity weakens immune responses, contributes to disease, and highlights microbiome-targeted therapies for immune- mediated and infectious conditions.
