Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the outbreak of a new viral respiratory infection. It has been demonstrated that the microbiota has a crucial role in establishing immune responses against respiratory infections, which are controlled by a bidirectional cross-talk, known as the “gut-lung axis.” The effects of microbiota on antiviral immune responses, including dendritic cell (DC) function and lymphocyte homing in the gut-lung axis, have been reported in the recent literature. Additionally, the gut microbiota composition affects (and is affected by) the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and contributes to regulate inflammation. Several studies demonstrated an altered microbiota composition in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, it has been shown that vaccine efficacy against viral respiratory infection is influenced by probiotics pretreatment. Therefore, the importance of the gut microbiota composition in the lung immune system and ACE2 expression could be valuable to provide optimal therapeutic approaches for SARS-CoV-2 and to preserve the symbiotic relationship of the microbiota with the host.
Highlights
Respiratory tract infections which are responsible for 4 million deaths annually around the world are regarded as health-threatening diseases [1]
The gut microbiota composition affects the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), which is the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and contributes to regulate inflammation
We focused on various aspects of microbiota in the gut-lung axis that can be considered as potential strategies exploitable for preventing, controlling, and treating respiratory infections, especially coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Summary
Respiratory tract infections which are responsible for 4 million deaths annually around the world are regarded as health-threatening diseases [1]. The main commensal microbial community, known as the gut microbiota, is located in the gut, an apparatus with the greatest mucosal surface and interactions with external stimuli. The regulating potential of the gut microbiota is not restricted to the gut, but can reach distant organs, such as brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. There are various bidirectional pathways, including the gut-brain, gut-liver, gut-kidney, and gut-lung pathways, which give rise to interorgan communication, with microbiota playing a key role [7,8,9,10]. We focused on various aspects of microbiota in the gut-lung axis that can be considered as potential strategies exploitable for preventing, controlling, and treating respiratory infections, especially coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
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