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Review
. 2023 Feb 17:4:1067483.
doi: 10.3389/falgy.2023.1067483. eCollection 2023.

Immunomodulatory role of oral microbiota in inflammatory diseases and allergic conditions

Carlos M Moreno  1 , Ellie Boeree  1 , Claudia M Tellez Freitas  2 , K Scott Weber  1
Affiliations
Review

Immunomodulatory role of oral microbiota in inflammatory diseases and allergic conditions

Carlos M Moreno et al. Front Allergy. .

Abstract

In recent years, the interplay between oral microbiota and systemic disease has gained attention as poor oral health is associated with several pathologies. The oral microbiota plays a role in the maintenance of overall health, and its dysbiosis influences chronic inflammation and the pathogenesis of gum diseases. Periodontitis has also been associated with other diseases and health complications such as cancer, neurogenerative and autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatic arthritis, respiratory health, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The host microbiota can influence immune cell development and immune responses, and recent evidence suggests that changes in oral microbiota composition may also contribute to sensitization and the development of allergic reactions, including asthma and peanut allergies. Conversely, there is also evidence that allergic reactions within the gut may contribute to alterations in oral microbiota composition. Here we review the current evidence of the role of the oral microbiota in inflammatory diseases and health complications, as well as its future relevance in improving health and ameliorating allergic disease.

Keywords: allergy; local inflammation; microbiota; oral microbiome; oral microbiota; systemic inflammation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Host microbiota prime immune cells against pathogens or promote immunotolerance. Graph depicting immune training in which a primary stimulus either primes immune responses to protect against or tolerate microbial challenge.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Associations between oral dysbiosis/chronic inflammation and pathologies in distant organs. Oral dysbiosis and chronic inflammation is associated with inflammatory conditions in distant organs, such as the brain, heart, intestines, and lungs. Associations between oral microbiota composition and allergy, dermatitis, asthma, and COPD development have also been reported and are covered in more detail in Figure 3. In the brain, the presence of inflammatory mediators and bacterial antigens may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease progression and severity. Ectopic colonization and migration of orally primed immune cells have been found to exacerbate colitis in mice. Microbial genetic material and antigens have been found in arterial tissue, and chronic periodontitis have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Alterations in oral microbiota composition is associated with allergic and respiratory diseases. Disruptions in oral microbiota composition have been associated with peanut allergy, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and atopic dermatitis, suggesting oral microbiota have an immunomodulatory role with allergy and respiratory development.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Potential therapeutics to treat oral dysbiosis. Suggested treatments to manage oral microbial dysbiosis to ameliorate diseases and allergies since alterations in microbiota composition is associated with immune sensitization and inflammatory disease.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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