Fig. 3: Mechanisms of fungal regulation of gut microbiota.
From: Application of edible fungi in gut microbiota regulation
Illustrates the holistic process through which edible fungi modulate intestinal health via bioactive components such as polysaccharides. The left panel depicts gut microbiota dysbiosis and pathogenic bacterial colonization within the outline of the human intestinal tract, along with the introduction of fungal components. The right panel zooms in on cellular and molecular mechanisms, demonstrating how these components bind to receptors (e.g., TLR4, TLR2), activate immune pathways (such as NF-κB and NLRP3), regulate inflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α and IL-6), enhance short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) production, and involve epigenetic mechanisms—such as histone acetylation and DNA methylation. These processes collectively contribute to enhanced immune function, moderated inflammation, preservation of intestinal barrier integrity (e.g., through mucins and E-cadherin), and inhibition of intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis.
