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Martin et al. Microbiome Res Rep 2023;2:17 Microbiome Research
DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.10
Reports

Review Open Access

Microbial interactions and the homeostasis of the
gut microbiome: the role of Bifidobacterium

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Alberto J.M. Martin , Kineret Serebrinsky-Duek , Erick Riquelme , Pedro A. Saa , Daniel Garrido 2
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Laboratorio de Redes Biológicas, Centro Cientı fico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Fundación Ciencia & Vida,
Facultad de Ingenierı a, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 8580702, Chile.
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Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 833115, Chile.
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Department of Respiratory Diseases, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
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Institute for Mathematical and Computational Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile.
Correspondence to: Dr. Daniel Garrido, Department of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, School of Engineering, Pontificia
Universidad Católica de Chile, Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 833115, Chile. E-mail: dgarridoc@ing.puc.cl
How to cite this article: Martin AJM, Serebrinsky-Duek K, Riquelme E, Saa PA, Garrido D. Microbial interactions and the
homeostasis of the gut microbiome: the role of Bifidobacterium. Microbiome Res Rep 2023;2:17.
https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/mrr.2023.10
Received: 7 Feb 2023 First Decision: 17 Mar 2023 Revised: 17 Apr 2023 Accepted: 24 Apr 2023 Published: 10 May 2023
Academic Editor: Christian Milani Copy Editor: Ke-Cui Yang Production Editor: Ke-Cui Yang

Abstract
The human gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that influence several aspects of our health. This dense
microbial community targets almost all dietary polysaccharides and releases multiple metabolites, some of which
have physiological effects on the host. A healthy equilibrium between members of the gut microbiota, its microbial
diversity, and their metabolites is required for intestinal health, promoting regulatory or anti-inflammatory immune
responses. In contrast, the loss of this equilibrium due to antibiotics, low fiber intake, or other conditions results in
alterations in gut microbiota composition, a term known as gut dysbiosis. This dysbiosis can be characterized by a
reduction in health-associated microorganisms, such as butyrate-producing bacteria, enrichment of a small
number of opportunistic pathogens, or a reduction in microbial diversity. Bifidobacterium species are key species in
the gut microbiome, serving as primary degraders and contributing to a balanced gut environment in various ways.
Colonization resistance is a fundamental property of gut microbiota for the prevention and control of infections.
This community competes strongly with foreign microorganisms, such as gastrointestinal pathogens, antibiotic-
resistant bacteria, or even probiotics. Resistance to colonization is based on microbial interactions such as
metabolic cross-feeding, competition for nutrients, or antimicrobial-based inhibition. These interactions are
mediated by metabolites and metabolic pathways, representing the inner workings of the gut microbiota, and play
a protective role through colonization resistance. This review presents a rationale for how microbial interactions

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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