Gut health: The results of microbial and mucosal immune interactions in pigs

Jie Peng; Yimei Tang; Yanhua Huang

doi:10.1016/j.aninu.2021.01.001

Gut health: The results of microbial and mucosal immune interactions in pigs

Anim Nutr. 2021 Jun;7(2):282-294. doi: 10.1016/j.aninu.2021.01.001. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Authors

Jie Peng^{1

2}, Yimei Tang^{1

2}, Yanhua Huang^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Innovative Institute of Animal Healthy Breeding, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China.
² College of Animal Science and Technology, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510225, China.
³ Guangzhou Fishtech Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangdong, 510640, China.

Abstract

There are a large number of microorganisms in the porcine intestinal tract. These microorganisms and their metabolites contribute to intestinal mucosal immunity, which is of great importance to the health of the host. The host immune system can regulate the distribution and composition of intestinal microorganisms and regulate the homeostasis of intestinal flora by secreting a variety of immune effector factors, such as mucin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), regenerating islet-derived III (RegIII)γ, and defensin. Conversely, intestinal microorganisms can also promote the differentiation of immune cells including regulatory T cells (T_reg) and Th17 cells through their specific components or metabolites. Studies have shown that imbalances in the intestinal flora can lead to bacterial translocation and compromised intestinal barrier function, affecting the health of the body. This review focuses on the composition of the pig intestinal flora and the characteristics of intestinal mucosal immunity, discusses the interaction mechanism between the flora and intestinal mucosal immunity, as well as the regulation through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), dietary nutritional composition, probiotics and prebiotics of pig intestinal microecology. Finally, this review provides insights into the relationship between intestinal microorganisms and the mucosal immune system.

Keywords: Gut microbe; Intestine; Mucosal immunity; Pig.

Publication types

Review