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Studying the host-microbiota interaction in the human gastrointestinal tract: basic concepts and in vitro approaches

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Abstract

Bacteria in the human gut exceed the number of cells in our body by a 100-fold. At the level of the gastrointestinal epithelium, a constant battle is fought for equilibrium between the microbiota and the human body. These interactions play a key role in many aspects of host health, influencing energy harvest from food, colonization by pathogens, and the immune system, to name but a few. Unfortunately, the study of this host–microbiota interaction in vivo is limited by the inaccessibility of the digestive tract. Therefore, in vitro technology that focuses on the simulation of this epithelial environment offers an ideal platform with which to conduct mechanistic research that could shed more light on this environment and help explain in vivo observations. However, the limitation of currently available tools could yield results with limited reliability for an in vivo situation. The aim of this mini-review is to focus on the importance of studying the host–microbiota interaction in the gastrointestinal tract and to evaluate the state of the art of the available in vitro techniques. Finally, we aim to identify those missing factors that, if present, would allow the creation of a model that would constitute a better simulation of biofilm formation, i.e. one more closely resembling the in vivo situation.

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Acknowledgments

M.M. benefits from an IWT post doctoral grant (OZM 090249). P.V.A. benefits from a FWO-Vlaanderen PhD scholarship, while T.V.W. and S.P. from a postdoctoral grant from FWO-Vlaanderen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology (LabMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Massimo Marzorati, Pieter Van den Abbeele, Sam Possemiers, Jessica Benner, Willy Verstraete & Tom Van de Wiele

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  1. Massimo Marzorati
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  2. Pieter Van den Abbeele
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Correspondence to Massimo Marzorati.

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Marzorati, M., Van den Abbeele, P., Possemiers, S. et al. Studying the host-microbiota interaction in the human gastrointestinal tract: basic concepts and in vitro approaches. Ann Microbiol 61, 709–715 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13213-011-0242-5

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