Molecular mechanisms underpinning circadian host-gut microbe
interactions
Food intake introduces both nutrients and food-borne pathogens into the
gut, therefore the upregulation of both metabolism and components of
innate immunity during feeding is crucial for gut function and pathogen
defence during this period of acute pathogen exposure42. Yet what are the major mechanisms underpinning
this process? Whilst this field of research is in its infancy, a number
of recent experimental studies on murine models outline some of the
mechanisms underpinning circadian host-gut microbe interactions. These
mechanisms generally involve cyclical interactions between food intake,
components of the immune system including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
and the antibody secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA), and certain mucosal
commensals (Fig. 1).