Role of the microbiome in human development
- PMID: 30670574
- PMCID: PMC6580755
- DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317503
Role of the microbiome in human development
Abstract
The host-microbiome supraorganism appears to have coevolved and the unperturbed microbial component of the dyad renders host health sustainable. This coevolution has likely shaped evolving phenotypes in all life forms on this predominantly microbial planet. The microbiota seems to exert effects on the next generation from gestation, via maternal microbiota and immune responses. The microbiota ecosystems develop, restricted to their epithelial niches by the host immune system, concomitantly with the host chronological development, providing early modulation of physiological host development and functions for nutrition, immunity and resistance to pathogens at all ages. Here, we review the role of the microbiome in human development, including evolutionary considerations, and the maternal/fetal relationships, contributions to nutrition and growth. We also discuss what constitutes a healthy microbiota, how antimicrobial modern practices are impacting the human microbiota, the associations between microbiota perturbations, host responses and diseases rocketing in urban societies and potential for future restoration.
Keywords: development; evolution; human microbiome; perturbations; restoration.
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Conflict of interest statement
Competing interests: MGD-B, MJB and RK are members of the Scientific Advisory Board of CommenSe. RK reports personal fees from Biota, CommenSe, Prometheus, Metagenics and Genentech, outside the submitted work. MJB reports advisory board positions for Dupont Nutrition, Procter & Gamble, Seed, Ubiome, outside the submitted work. This publication does not endorse any commercial products.
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