Gut microbiota: The emerging link to lung homeostasis and disease

ABSTRACT

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the development of the immune system and confers benefits or disease susceptibility to the host. Emerging studies have indicated that the gut microbiota could affect pulmonary health and disease through cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the lungs. Gut microbiota dysbiosis could lead to acute or chronic lung disease, such as asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer. In addition, the composition of the gut microbiota may be associated with different lung diseases, the prevalence of which also vary by age. Modulation of the gut microbiota through short-chain fatty acids, probiotics and micronutrients may present potential therapeutic strategies to protect against lung diseases. In this review, we will provide an overview of the cross-talk between the gut microbiota and the lungs as well as elucidate the underlying pathogenesis or potential therapeutic strategies of some lung diseases from the point of view of the gut microbiota.