The microbiome comprises the numerous microorganisms inhabiting our bodies and playing a role in maintaining immune homeostasis and metabolic equilibrium. Recently, research has unveiled its profound impact on health and disease, particularly in conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and cancer.
An unhealthy microbiome can lead to detrimental consequences some of which are mediated by so-called “pathobionts”. These bacteria are typically harmless bacteria that can, under certain conditions, become dangerous. For instance, they can trigger and exacerbate chronic intestinal inflammatory conditions, as well as contribute to the progression of cancer.
Central to this inflammatory response are bacterial products, such as lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycans, and ADP-heptose. These metabolites can stimulate immune cells and perpetuate chronic inflammation. However, other bacterial products can counteract such responses. In addition, bacterial enzymes play a significant role in modifying these products, altering their immunogenicity, and exacerbating inflammatory responses.
As a result, understanding the interplay between the host and the microbiome could uncover crucial insights in host-microbiome interactions. Bacterial metabolites and the enzymatic capabilities of the microbiome could be key to understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic outcomes. By deciphering these interactions, we advance towards targeted interventions and harnessing the microbiome’s therapeutic potential against diseases and improving patient outcomes.