Gut microbiota drives metabolic disease in immunologically altered mice

B Chassaing, JD Aitken, AT Gewirtz… - Advances in …, 2012 - Elsevier
The mammalian intestine harbors trillions of microbes collectively known as the microbiota,
which can be viewed as an anaerobic metabolic organ that benefits the host in a number of
ways. The homeostasis of this large microbial biomass is a prerequisite to maintaining host
health by maximizing symbiotic interrelations and minimizing the risk of living in a close
relationship. The cooperation between the innate and adaptive immune systems of the host
maintains homeostasis of the microbiota. The dysregulation/alteration of microbiota in …