Gut microbiota biofilms: From regulatory mechanisms to therapeutic targets

Gut microbiota contain communities of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and Eukarya, and live as biofilms. In health, these biofilms adhere to the intestinal mucus surface without contacting the epithelium. Disruptions to the equilibrium between these biofilms and the host may create invasive pathobionts from these commensal communities and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Environmental factors appear to dominate over genetics in determining the shifts in microbiota populations and function, including when comparing microbiota between low-income and industrialized countries. The observations discussed herein carry enormous potential for the development of novel therapies targeting phenotype in microbiota dysbiosis.

Automated summary

Gut microbiota consist of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and Eukarya, and form biofilms. In a healthy state, these biofilms attach to the intestinal mucus surface without contacting the epithelium. Imbalances between these biofilms and the host can lead to invasive pathobionts from commensal communities and contribute to disease. Environmental factors have a greater influence than genetics on the shifts in microbiota populations and function, even between low-income and industrialized countries. These findings have significant implications for the development of novel therapies targeting microbiota dysbiosis.