Role of microbial metabolites in regulating host immunity

Abstract

Abstract Microbiota is the collection of all the microorganisms that are present in and on all mammals. The microbial communities are vastly diverse and actively contribute to the development and proper functioning of the immune system. Host-microbiota studies have seen an upswing with increasing technologies that help profile several microbial communities. Recent studies have uncovered how microbial metabolites play an important role in regulating host immunity. The host immune system has coevolved with the commensal microbiome for mutual regulation. Some metabolites even play a prominent role in increasing immune responses and decreasing harmful inflammatory responses. Studies involving microbial metabolites help unravel the molecular basis of host-microbiome interactions. Gut microbial metabolites have been shown to play an important role in gut homeostasis. This review throws light on microbial metabolites that play an important role in regulating host immunity and how an impaired microbiota contributes to host disease and metabolic disorders.