Exploring the impact of intestinal ion transport on the gut microbiota

The gut microbiota and the host are intimately connected. The host physiology dictates the intestinal environment through regulation of pH, ion concentration, mucus production, etc., all of which exerts a selective pressure on the gut microbiota. Since different regions of the gastrointestinal tract are characterized by their own physicochemical conditions, distinct microbial communities are present in these locations. While it is widely accepted that the intestinal microbiome influences the host (tight junctions, cytokine/immune responses, diarrhea, etc.), the reciprocal interaction of the host on the microbiome is under-explored. This review aims to address these gaps in knowledge by focusing on how the host intestinal ion transport influences the luminal environment and thereby modulates the gut microbiota composition. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Research Network of Computational and Structural Biotechnology.

Automated summary

The relationship between gut microbiota and host physiology is complex, with host factors exerting selective pressure on microbial communities in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. While the influence of the intestinal microbiome on the host is well-established, the reciprocal interaction of the host on the microbiome remains a less explored area. This review focuses on how host intestinal ion transport influences the luminal environment and modulates gut microbiota composition.