Accumulating evidence highlights the relevance of microbiota-gut-brain axis in the maintenance of brain homeostasis as well as in the pathophysiology of several human disorders, including neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopment disorders.
In these diseases, an ‘unhealthy’ gut microbiome, which is often termed dysbiosis triggers the occurrence of enteric inflammatory conditions and gastrointestinal dysfunction which affects the brain–gut axis communication. This contributes to gut hyperpermeability, often described as leaky gut which enables gut-bacterial metabolites (neurotransmitters, short chain fatty acids) and innate immune signalling mediators to reach the bloodstream and potentially the brain resulting in chronic inflammation locally and systemically. On the other hand, the central nervous system can also influence the enteric nervous system through the release of neurotransmitters and hormones which are known to play key roles in modulating gut function.
To elucidate and explore this bidirectional communication can provide promising research directions and in-depth information on its regulation of several human diseases.
The microbiota–gut–brain axis represents an important player in the development of several human diseases, making it an actionable target to halt the development and progression of these diseases. We hope with this Research Topic to portray the intricate communication between the gut microbiota in the enteric nervous system and the central nervous system highlighting the crucial involvement of the immune system. Hence, we aim to address and provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge of the following topics:
- Role of immune-gut-brain axis in human diseases, gathering in vitro an in vivo studies but also highlighting preclinical studies and preliminary clinical investigations.
- Role played by enteric microbiota, mucosal immune system and enteric nervous system, e.g. the roles that several gut microbe-derived molecules such as neurotransmitters, short chain fatty acids and tryptophan play in the pathophysiology of several human diseases.
- Challenges and potential future directions associated with immune-gut-brain axis in human diseases: neurodegenerative disorders; metabolic disorders; neurodevelopmental disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders and inflammatory Bowel diseases.
- Interactions between gut-bacterial metabolites and brain neurons and how they alterneuronal activity.
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Systematic Review, Methods, Review and Mini-Review, Policy and Practice Reviews, Hypothesis & Theory, Clinical Trial, Classification, Technology and Code, Study Protocol, Perspective, Case Report, Conceptual Analysis, Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy, Brief Research Report, Data Report, General Commentary, Opinion. We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Immune-gut-brain axis in human diseases (neurodegenerative disorders; metabolic disorders;
neurodevelopmental disorders; neuropsychiatric disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases).
• Gut microbiota interaction with host immune and nervous systems.
• Neuronal responses to bacterial signals
Keywords: Gut-brain axis, Immune system, Human diseases, Bacterial signals, Gut microbiota
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
