Microbiota Influence on Vaccine Immune Responses
Summary
The community of microorganisms residing in the human body, notably in the gastrointestinal tract, exerts profound influence on the effectiveness of vaccination. These resident microbes interact with host immune cells, shaping both innate sensing and adaptive antibody production. Microbial metabolites and cell-surface components engage pattern-recognition receptors, tuning the magnitude and quality of B-cell and T-cell responses following antigen exposure. Variations in microbiota composition and diversity help to explain interindividual and interpopulation differences in vaccine immunogenicity. By modulating microbial communities through diet, probiotics or targeted metabolites, it is now feasible to enhance seroconversion rates and antibody titres, with particular promise for populations with impaired or variable responses. Understanding these host–microbe interactions is essential for optimising vaccine performance globally, reducing disparities and guiding next-generation adjuvant design.
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Microbiota Influence on Vaccine Immune Responses publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microbiota influence on vaccine immune responses across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Microbiota: The collection of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, inhabiting a defined environment such as the gut.
Humoral immune response: The aspect of immunity mediated by antibodies produced by B lymphocytes.
α-diversity: A measure of the richness and evenness of species within a single microbial community.
Metabolite: A small molecule produced or modified by metabolic processes, often acting as a signalling mediator between microbes and host cells.
Probiotic: A live microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confers a health benefit on the host.
Seroconversion: The development of detectable specific antibodies in the blood following vaccination or infection.
References
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation and SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody response in healthy adults: a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Gut Microbes (2023).
- The gut microbiota and metabolome are associated with diminished COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibody responses in immunosuppressed inflammatory bowel disease patients. EBioMedicine (2023).
- Significant Correlation Between the Infant Gut Microbiome and Rotavirus Vaccine Response in Rural Ghana. The Journal of Infectious Diseases (2016).
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