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Review
. 2019 May 13;6(8):324-334.
doi: 10.15698/mic2019.08.685.

The influence of the microbiota on immune development, chronic inflammation, and cancer in the context of aging

Taylor N Tibbs  1 , Lacey R Lopez  1 , Janelle C Arthur  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

The influence of the microbiota on immune development, chronic inflammation, and cancer in the context of aging

Taylor N Tibbs et al. Microb Cell. .

Abstract

From birth, the microbiota plays an essential role in human development by educating host immune responses. Proper maturation of the immune system perturbs chronic inflammation and the pathogenesis of disease by preventing inappropriate immune responses. While many have detailed the roles of specific microbial groups in immune development and human disease, it remains to be elucidated how the microbiota influences the immune system during aging. Furthermore, it is not yet understood how age-related changes to the microbiota and immune system influence the development of age-related diseases. In this review, we outline the role of the microbiota in immune system development as well as functional changes that occur to immune cell populations during immunosenescence. In addition, we highlight how commensal microbes influence the pathogenesis of cancer, a prominent disease of aging. The information provided herein suggests that age-related changes to the microbiota and immune system should be considered in disease treatment and prevention strategies.

Keywords: aging; cancer; chronic inflammation; immune development; immune maturation; immunosenescence; microbiome; microbiota.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: We report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. FIGURE 1: Aging, changes in immune response, and alterations of the microbiota contribute to chronic disease development.
Relationships between the immune system, native microbiota, and general age-related biological changes all influence chronic inflammation and aging-related disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2. FIGURE 2: Interplay of the microbiota and immune system influence cancer development during aging.
The immune system and native microbiota contribute to cancer both directly and indirectly via chronic inflammation, aberrant changes in various immune responses, DNA damage, and alterations to the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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