PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Marsland, Benjamin J
TI  - Regulation of inflammatory responses by the commensal microbiota
AID  - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200750
DP  - 2012 Jan 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 93--94
VI  - 67
IP  - 1
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/67/1/93.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/67/1/93.full
SO  - Thorax2012 Jan 01; 67
AB  - It is well established that dysregulation of the interactions between the immune system and commensal bacteria is one factor that underpins the development and chronicity of a number of inflammatory diseases. Certain phyla of bacteria within the microbiota have been associated with ‘health’, but the mechanisms by which the presence of these bacteria supports a healthy environment are still being unravelled. Recent evidence indicates that one such mechanism involves the anti-inflammatory properties of fermentation products of fibre, short-chain fatty acids and their signalling through the G-protein coupled receptor GPR43. Recent findings also indicate that, even in health, bacterial communities harbour in the airways, indicating that direct exposure to bacterial products at this site may provide a further explanation for how commensal bacteria can regulate chronic airway inflammation.