PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Maria Gloria Dominguez-Bello
AU  - Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
AU  - Rob Knight
AU  - Martin J Blaser
TI  - Role of the microbiome in human development
AID  - 10.1136/gutjnl-2018-317503
DP  - 2019 Jun 01
TA  - Gut
PG  - 1108--1114
VI  - 68
IP  - 6
4099  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/68/6/1108.short
4100  - http://gut.bmj.com/content/68/6/1108.full
SO  - Gut2019 Jun 01; 68
AB  - The host-microbiome supraorganism appears to have coevolved and the unperturbed microbial component of the dyad renders host health sustainable. This coevolution has likely shaped evolving phenotypes in all life forms on this predominantly microbial planet. The microbiota seems to exert effects on the next generation from gestation, via maternal microbiota and immune responses. The microbiota ecosystems develop, restricted to their epithelial niches by the host immune system, concomitantly with the host chronological development, providing early modulation of physiological host development and functions for nutrition, immunity and resistance to pathogens at all ages. Here, we review the role of the microbiome in human development, including evolutionary considerations, and the maternal/fetal relationships, contributions to nutrition and growth. We also discuss what constitutes a healthy microbiota, how antimicrobial modern practices are impacting the human microbiota, the associations between microbiota perturbations, host responses and diseases rocketing in urban societies and potential for future restoration.