Taking intestinal microbes and the immune system as opportunities to maintain the intestinal health of piglets: review

Abstract

Numerous commensal microbes colonize in the pig gut, while the microbiota gets benefits from the gut environment, it additionally assists significantly with the host’s development, metabolism, and immunity. The immune system can regulate the homeostasis of gut microorganisms by secreting a variety of effector factors. Similarly, gut microorganisms can also regulate the intestinal immune system via specific components or metabolites. Despite their close relationship, microbes and immune cells have their own individual ecological niche in the gut. Microbes are confined to the intestinal lumen, while immune cells are located in the intestinal tissues, and the mechanisms of how they interact with each other to promote intestinal health have not yet been thoroughly investigated. This article focuses on the different mechanisms by the interaction between intestinal immune system, gut microorganisms and microbial metabolites to regulate the intestinal health of piglets, and discusses the strategies to enhance the intestinal health of piglets through dietary interventions in order to provide theoretical support promoting the healthy growth of piglets.