Immunomodulatory Effects of Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression
Summary
Cyclophosphamide is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent whose efficacy is tempered by profound immunosuppression and damage to intestinal mucosa. Emerging evidence has shown that the gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in shaping host immunity under cyclophosphamide treatment by maintaining barrier integrity, modulating cytokine profiles and fostering haematopoiesis. Disruption of microbial communities, known as dysbiosis, compromises production of key metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, leading to reduced regulatory T-cell expansion and altered immunoglobulin levels. Restoration of beneficial taxa and their metabolic outputs supports recovery of splenic and bone marrow compartments, enhances natural killer cell activity and rebalances pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Harnessing this interplay offers global significance for reducing chemotherapy-related infections, improving patient quality of life and informing the design of microbiota-based adjuvants and functional foods to mitigate treatment-induced immune deficits.
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Immunomodulatory Effects of Gut Microbiota in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in immunomodulatory effects of gut microbiota in cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cyclophosphamide: A cytotoxic alkylating agent used in chemotherapy that also induces profound immunosuppression and mucosal injury.
Gut microbiota: The collective community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract that interact with the host immune system.
Dysbiosis: An imbalance in microbial composition associated with impaired barrier function and altered immune responses.
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): Metabolic products of microbial fermentation that regulate epithelial integrity and anti-inflammatory pathways.
Tight junction proteins: Transmembrane and scaffold proteins (e.g., Occludin, ZO-1, Claudin-1) that maintain epithelial barrier integrity.
Haematopoiesis: The process of blood cell formation in the bone marrow, crucial for immune cell replenishment.
References
- Protopanaxadiol manipulates gut microbiota to promote bone marrow hematopoiesis and enhance immunity in cyclophosphamide‐induced immunosuppression mice. MedComm (2023).
- The Synergistic Effects of Polysaccharides and Ginsenosides From American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) Ameliorating Cyclophosphamide-Induced Intestinal Immune Disorders and Gut Barrier Dysfunctions Based on Microbiome-Metabolomics Analysis. Frontiers in Immunology (2021).
- Effects of Shrimp Peptide Hydrolysate on Intestinal Microbiota Restoration and Immune Modulation in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice. Molecules (2022).
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