Influence of the Gut Microbiota on Neuroendocrine-Immune Interactions

Body surfaces are colonized by an enormous array of microbes collectively referred to as the microbiota. In the past decade, there has been an increase in research activity directed toward understanding the importance of microbiota for human health and disease. This research activity has clearly established that the commensal microbiota play an essential role in the development and maintenance of physiological processes, including neuroendocrine and immune responses, throughout life. Although our understanding of exactly how these microbes exert their effects on the host is still in its infancy, multiple pathways have been identified in recent years. These pathways are described here, along with a description of some of the tools needed for their study.