The human gastrointestinal tract is home to a complex microbial community that plays an important role in the general well-being of the entire organism. The gut microbiota generates a variety of metabolites and thereby regulates many biological processes, such as the regulation of the immune system. In the gut, bacteria are in direct contact with the host. The major challenge here is to prevent unwanted inflammatory reactions on one hand and on the other hand to ensure that the immune system can be activated when pathogens invade. Here the REDOX equilibrium is of utmost importance. This REDOX equilibrium is controlled by the microbiota either directly or indirectly via bacterial-derived metabolites. A balanced microbiome sorts for a stable REDOX balance, whereas dysbiosis destabilizes this equilibrium. An imbalanced REDOX status directly affects the immune system by disrupting intracellular signaling and promoting inflammatory responses. Here we (i) focus on the most common reactive oxygen species (ROS) and (ii) define the transition from a balanced REDOX state to oxidative stress. Further, we (iii) describe the role of ROS in regulating the immune system and inflammatory responses. Thereafter, we (iv) examine the influence of microbiota on REDOX homeostasis and how shifts in proand anti-oxidative cellular conditions can suppress or promote immune responses or inflammation.
gut microbiota oxidative stress immune system regulation, REDOX equilibrium intestinal bacteria metabolites, dysbiosis reactive oxygen species inflammatory response, microbiome derived metabolites immune signaling, gut bacteria ROS production immune homeostasis, oxidative stress intracellular signaling inflammation, balanced microbiome antioxidant pro-oxidative conditions, gastrointestinal tract microbial community immune regulation review, bacterial metabolites REDOX homeostasis host immunity, dysbiosis oxidative stress inflammatory disease mechanisms
DOI 10.3390/biomedicines11051388 10.3390/biomedicines11051388
Cite this article
Kunst C, Schmid S, Tümen D, Michalski M, Gülow K, Müller M, & Buttenschön J (2023). The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Oxidative Stress and the Immune System. Biomedicines, 11(5), 1388. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11051388
Kunst C, Schmid S, Tümen D, Michalski M, Gülow K, Müller M, et al. The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Oxidative Stress and the Immune System. Biomedicines. 2023;11(5):1388. doi:10.3390/biomedicines11051388
Kunst C, et al. "The Influence of Gut Microbiota on Oxidative Stress and the Immune System." Biomedicines, vol. 11, no. 5, 2023, pp. 1388.
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