Nature-derived microbiota exposure as a novel immunomodulatory approach

Abstract

Aim: Current attempts to modulate the human microbiota and immune responses are based on probiotics or human-derived bacterial transplants. We investigated microbial modulation by soil and plant-based material.

Materials & methods: We performed a pilot study in which healthy adults were exposed to the varied microbial community of a soil- and plant-based material.

Results: The method was safe and feasible; exposure was associated with an increase in gut microbial diversity.

Conclusion: If these findings are reproduced in larger studies nature-derived microbial exposure strategies could be further developed for testing their efficacy in the treatment and prevention of immune-mediated diseases.

Keywords: 16s rRNA; biodiversity hypothesis; immune modulation; immune-mediated diseases; microbial diversity; microbiome.