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PMID: 19026936 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

The microbes of the intestine: an introduction to their metabolic and signaling capabilities.

Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America ·Vol. 37 ·No. 4 ·2008-12-00 ·Pages 857-71

Hsiao WW, Metz C, Singh DP, Roth J

Abstract

This article summarizes advances in the field of host-microbe interactions in the gut. The human gut is home to a complex community of microbes (the microbiota) that plays a critical role in host nutrient acquisition and metabolism, development of intestinal epithelial cells, and host immune system. Genetic background, nutritional status, and environmental factors influence the structure and function of the gut microbiota. Networks for cell-cell communication include microbes actively communicating with microbes of the same and other species; host cells recognizing and interacting with commensal versus pathogenic organisms; and microbes releasing peptides that resemble peptide hormones of vertebrates, possibly influencing host cell function.

MeSH Terms
Animals Humans Immunity, Innate/physiology Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism Intestines/microbiology Metabolism/physiology Metagenome/physiology Microbiological Phenomena/immunology Models, Biological Quorum Sensing/physiology Signal Transduction/physiology Symbiosis/immunology
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Hsiao William W L
Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, 20 Penn Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Metz Christine
Singh Davinder P
Roth Jesse
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Article Info
Journal
Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America
Abbr.
Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am
ISSN
1558-4410
DOI
10.1016/j.ecl.2008.08.006
Published
2008-12-00
Pages
857-71
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
8800104
PMCID
PMC4411945
Subset
IM
Grants
NIDDK NIH HHS · P01 DK078669 · United States
NIDDK NIH HHS · 1P01 DK 78669 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2008.08.006 PMC Full Text View journal details
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