The mycobiota of the human body: a spark can start a prairie fire

Gut Microbes. 2020 Jul 3;11(4):655-679. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2020.1731287. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Abstract

Mycobiota are inseparable from human health, shaking up the unique position held by bacteria among microorganisms. What is surprising is that this seemingly small species can trigger huge changes in the human body. Dysbiosis and invasion of mycobiota are confirmed to cause disease in different parts of the body. Meanwhile, our body also produces corresponding immune changes upon mycobiota infection. Several recent studies have made a connection between intestinal mycobiota and the human immune system. In this review, we focus on questions related to mycobiota, starting with an introduction of select species, then we summarize the typical diseases caused by mycobiota in different parts of the human body. Moreover, we constructed a framework for the human anti-fungal immune system based on genetics and immunology. Finally, the progression of fungal detection methods is also reviewed.

Keywords: Mycobiota; colorectal carcinogenesis; detection methods; host-microbe interaction; immunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dysbiosis / microbiology
  • Fungi / growth & development
  • Fungi / isolation & purification
  • Fungi / physiology*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / microbiology
  • Host Microbial Interactions
  • Humans
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Metabolic Diseases / microbiology
  • Microbiota*
  • Mycobiome*
  • Mycoses / immunology
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Diseases / microbiology

Grants and funding

This work is supported by grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China [81772542] to T.W. and [81873309] to Y.C, Six talent peaks project in Jiangsu Province [WSW-031] to T.W., A Project Funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD), The Open Projects of Discipline of Chinese Medicine of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Supported by the Subject of Academic priority discipline of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [021414380433] to T.W.