The intestinal tract faces numerous challenges that require several layers of defence. The
tight epithelium forms a physical barrier that is further protected by a mucus layer, which …

Research on newborn immunity has revealed the importance of cell ontogeny, feto-maternal
tolerance, and the transfer of maternal antibodies. Less is known about postnatal adaptation …

The commensal microbiota has been implicated in the regulation of a diverse array of
physiological processes, both within the gastrointestinal tract and at distant tissue sites …

Low-grade inflammation is the hallmark of metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2
diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Emerging evidence indicates that these …

Mucin-degrading microbes are known to harbor glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) which cleave
specific glycan linkages. Although several microbial species have been identified as mucin …

Despite its position as the first-line drug for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the
mechanisms underlying the plasma glucose level-lowering effects of metformin (1, 1 …

Perturbations in the intestinal microbiome are implicated in inflammatory bowel disease
(IBD). Studies of treatment-naive patients have identified microbial taxa associated with …

The colonic epithelium facilitates host–microorganism interactions to control mucosal
immunity, coordinate nutrient recycling and form a mucus barrier. Breakdown of the …

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), represented by Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis,
are associated with major morbidity in Western countries and with increasing incidence in …

The gastrointestinal tract is densely innervated by a complex network of neurons that
coordinate critical physiological functions. Here, we summarize recent studies investigating …