Abstract:
The gut microbiota significantly regulates the development and function of the innate
and adaptive immune system. The attribute of immunological memory has long been
linked only with adaptive immunity. Recent evidence indicates that memory is also
present in the innate immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages and natural
killer cells. These cells exhibit pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize
microbe- or pathogen-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs or PAMPs) expressed by
the microbes. Interaction between PRRs and MAMPs is quite crucial since it triggers
the sequence of signaling events and epigenetic rewiring that not only play a cardinal
role in modulating the activation and function of the innate cells but also impart a
sense of memory response. We discuss here how gut microbiota can influence the
generation of innate memory and functional reprogramming of bone marrow progenitors
that helps in protection against infections. This article will broaden our current perspective
of association between the gut microbiome and innate memory. In the future, this
knowledge may pave avenues for development and designing of novel immunotherapies
and vaccination strategies.
