Research in mucosal immunology has continued to generate exciting advances in cellular and molecular biology and to pave the way for a better understanding of human health and disease. In 2018, numerous groups defined bidirectional circuits of communication between the mucosal immune system, non-haematopoietic cell types and microbial communities, while also developing precision approaches to define and manipulate host–microbiota interactions in the gut.
Key advances
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Resident neuronal, chemosensory and neuroendocrine cells can sense microbial metabolites and regulate type 2 mucosal immunity and inflammation.
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Microbiota-derived metabolites dynamically influence host metabolism and immunity, both locally in the intestine and systemically.
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Host immune responses facilitate clearance of certain microorganisms or enhance colonization by other mucosal-associated microorganisms.
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Precision approaches to translate genes-to-function or selectively manipulate the microbiota are paving the way for a better understanding of, as well as novel therapies for, human disease.
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Acknowledgements
The Artis laboratory is supported by the National Institutes of Health (AI074878, AI095466, AI095608 and AI102942), the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Cure for IBD and the Rosanne H. Silberman Foundation. The Sonnenberg laboratory is supported by the National Institutes of Health (R01AI123368, R21DK110262 and U01AI095608), the NIAID Mucosal Immunology Studies Team (MIST), the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, the Searle Scholars Program, the American Asthma Foundation Scholar Award, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund and The Cancer Research Institute.
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Sonnenberg, G.F., Artis, D. Novel connections and precision approaches. Nat Rev Immunol 19, 75–76 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-018-0114-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41577-018-0114-3
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