Hebbandi Nanjundappa R, Sokke Umeshappa C, Geuking MB. The impact of the gut microbiota on T cell ontogeny in the thymus.
Cell Mol Life Sci 2022;
79:221. [PMID:
35377005 PMCID:
PMC11072498 DOI:
10.1007/s00018-022-04252-y]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota is critical for the development of gut-associated lymphoid tissues, including Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, and is instrumental in educating the local as well as systemic immune system. In addition, it also impacts the development and function of peripheral organs, such as liver, lung, and the brain, in health and disease. However, whether and how the intestinal microbiota has an impact on T cell ontogeny in the hymus remains largely unclear. Recently, the impact of molecules and metabolites derived from the intestinal microbiota on T cell ontogeny in the thymus has been investigated in more detail. In this review, we will discuss the recent findings in the emerging field of the gut-thymus axis and we will highlight the current questions and challenges in the field.
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