Probiotics and MicroRNA: Their Roles in the Host-Microbe Interactions

Front Microbiol. 2021 Jan 14:11:604462. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.604462. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Probiotics are widely accepted to be beneficial for the maintenance of the gut homeostasis - the dynamic and healthy interactions between host and gut microorganisms. In addition, emerging as a key molecule of inter-domain communication, microRNAs (miRNAs) can also mediate the host-microbe interactions. However, a comprehensive description and summary of the association between miRNAs and probiotics have not been reported yet. In this review, we have discussed the roles of probiotics and miRNAs in host-microbe interactions and proposed the association of probiotics with altered miRNAs in various intestinal diseases and potential molecular mechanisms underlying the action of probiotics. Furthermore, we provided a perspective of probiotics-miRNA-host/gut microbiota axis applied in search of disease management highly associated with the gut microbiome, which will potentially prove to be beneficial for future studies.

Keywords: gut microbiota; homeostasis; host–microbe interactions; microRNA; probiotics.

Publication types

  • Review