Gut Microbes

Recent research developments demonstrated a new paradigm, i.e., the role of the digestive track (oral/gut) microbiota in the control of brain behavior, functions, and health. Potentially important mechanisms are related to intestinal biology, such as barrier function, the enteric nervous system, hormone secretion, and permeability, to cite a few. From a therapeutic point of view, considering the gut microbiota as a potential target to maintain brain health and cognition and treat the corresponding diseases would be a new avenue in clinical practice. However, there is a dramatic need to first understand the mechanisms at play before proposing therapeutic strategies.

The large panel of brain diseases, including cognition, behavioral, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases, remains mostly orphaned of efficient strategies. The current knowledge generated from recent studies about the oral/gut microbiota, the advent of state-of-the-art technologies to characterize and quantify the host microbiome, and the huge genomic potential of the microbiome, i.e., 10-50 times higher than the host genome, strongly highlight the importance of disentangling the complexity of the gut microbiome before launching therapeutic strategies. It is noteworthy that the corresponding strategies have an advantage over regular systemic pharmacological strategies, which are to be considered almost topical, thereby dramatically reducing the risk of deleterious secondary effects.

To address the brain’s physiological functions and corresponding diseases potentially under the scope of the oral/gut microbiome, we will put together manuscripts reviewing some aspects of the recent literature. Notably, manuscripts exploring the relationship between oral/gut microbiota and the original role of enterosynes, i.e., intestinal peptides, intestinal permeability, regulation of food intake, metabolic diseases associated with brain control and translocation, the enteric nervous system, and mucosal biology, are welcome to be submitted to this Article Collection.

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Prof. Vincent Blasco-Baque - Inserm/Université Paul Sabatier

My research aims at identifying the implication of oral microbiota as risk factors of the systemic diseases like diabetes and obesity. We identified the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis, oral commensal bacteria, in the development of type 2 diabetes linked to immune disorders. Following these data, we develop clinical trials to identify new bacterial candidate and its meta factors implicated to immune and systemic disorders. My medical practice has a goal to a global healthcare targeting oral microbiota. I’m team leader of translational group implicated in the exploration of link between oral microbiota and cardio-metabolic diseases.

 

Prof. Remy Burcelin - Inserm

Physiologist by training, PhD, I have led my carrier towards understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of energy metabolism and the corresponding diseases. I have notably discovered the role of incretins on the glucose sensing gut brain axis and the corresponding molecular components. Eventually, I demonstrated the first molecular mechanism i.e. LPS through which gut microbiota controls insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, and obesity. I linked such role to intestinal permeability and more recently the role of intestinal permeability to bacteria thereby proposing a new concept of tissue microbiota for the control of metabolic inflammation in the corresponding diseases.

Prof. Blasco-Baque and  Prof. Burcelin declares no conflict of interest.

 

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