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Review
. 2022 Dec;77(12):3513-3526.
doi: 10.1111/all.15455. Epub 2022 Aug 3.

Immunomodulation by foods and microbes: Unravelling the molecular tango

Brian Forde  1   2 , Lu Yao  1   2 , Rupin Shaha  1   2 , Sally Murphy  2 , Nonhlanhla Lunjani  1   3 , Liam O'Mahony  1   2   4
Affiliations
Review

Immunomodulation by foods and microbes: Unravelling the molecular tango

Brian Forde et al. Allergy. 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Metabolic health and immune function are intimately connected via diet and the microbiota. Nearly 90% of all immune cells in the body are associated with the gastrointestinal tract and these immune cells are continuously exposed to a wide range of microbes and microbial-derived compounds, with important systemic ramifications. Microbial dysbiosis has consistently been observed in patients with atopic dermatitis, food allergy and asthma and the molecular mechanisms linking changes in microbial populations with disease risk and disease endotypes are being intensively investigated. The discovery of novel bacterial metabolites that impact immune function is at the forefront of host-microbe research. Co-evolution of microbial communities within their hosts has resulted in intertwined metabolic pathways that affect physiological and pathological processes. However, recent dietary and lifestyle changes are thought to negatively influence interactions between microbes and their host. This review provides an overview of some of the critical metabolite-receptor interactions that have been recently described, which may underpin the immunomodulatory effects of the microbiota, and are of relevance for allergy, asthma and infectious diseases.

Keywords: AhR; GPCRs; metabolites; microbiome; nuclear receptors.

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Conflict of interest statement

LOM is a consultant to PrecisionBiotics and has received research funding from GSK and Chiesi. LOM has participated in speaker's bureau for Nestle, Nutricia, Reckitt and Abbott. None of the other authors report any conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Schematic model illustrating the concept of a high‐risk versus a low‐risk configuration of microbiota‐dietary interactions that influence risk of immune‐mediated disorders
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
GPCR signalling. Following stimulation by their specific ligands, a conformational change causes the G‐Proteins to disengage from the GPCR and create a signal cascade dependent on the Gα subunit that is activated
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Gα subunit usage by different GPCRs
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Mechanisms of canonical (left panel) and non‐canonical (right panel) AhR signalling
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
The different nuclear receptors are illustrated
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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