What is immunobiomics?

The study of the interplay between microbiome and immune system: how micro-organisms train your defences and help determine the inflammatory tone.

Is my immune system really in my gut?

A large part of the immune tissue is located around the gut, where it is in constant dialogue with the microbiota.

How does the microbiome influence my immune system?

Among other things by steering the maturation of immune cells and, through substances such as butyrate, promoting regulatory cells that keep the defences in balance.

Can nutrition support my immune balance?

A diverse, fibre-rich diet feeds beneficial microbes and thereby indirectly supports a balanced inflammatory tone, as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Immunobiomics

EN: immunobiomics · related terms: microbiome, postbiotics, dysbiosis

Definition Immunobiomics studies the interplay between your microbiome and your immune system: how micro-organisms train and calibrate your defences from an early age, help set the balance between tolerance and reaction, and contribute to the inflammatory tone. It is the bridge between gut ecology and immunity.

In plain language

A large part of your defences sits around your gut — and those defences are, in part, schooled by your microbes. Immunobiomics is about that collaboration. From birth onwards, your gut bacteria teach your immune system the difference between 'friend' and 'foe': where should it react strongly, and where should it stay calm? That training helps determine how resilient and balanced your defences are later on. If the microbial balance becomes disturbed, the defences can become 'more nervous', resulting in a higher, smouldering inflammatory tone — something linked to many modern complaints. Substances that your microbes make, such as butyrate, play a calming, regulating role here. The practical message: feeding your defences begins in part with feeding your gut. A diverse, fibre-rich diet supports not only your microbes, but indirectly a balanced immune system too.

The science behind

Immunobiomics describes the close co-regulation between the microbiota and the innate and adaptive immune system. The gut houses a large part of the immune tissue (GALT), where there is continuous negotiation between tolerance for commensals and defence against pathogens.

• Immune calibration. Early colonisation steers the maturation of T-cell populations; microbial signals promote, among others, regulatory T cells (Treg) that maintain tolerance.
• SCFA as regulator. Butyrate and other short-chain fatty acids (postbiotics) promote Treg induction and strengthen the barrier, with a dampening effect on inflammation.
• Barrier & PAMPs. An intact mucus layer and barrier limit exposure to pro-inflammatory microbial components (such as lipopolysaccharides).
• Dysbiosis & inflammation. Loss of beneficial taxa is associated with a shifted, more pro-inflammatory tone — see dysbiosis.

Immunobiomics thus connects gut ecology with the resolution of inflammation (among others via specialised pro-resolving mediators). Within My InnerSelfie, the resilience of butyrate producers is a recurring marker for a balanced immune context. This reading is supportive and observational — not a medical diagnosis.

Related concepts

Microbiome Postbiotics (SCFA)Dysbiosis Gut-organ axes Holobiont

Where appropriate — support: you help support a balanced inflammatory tone through fibre, polyphenols and omega-3; targeted supplementation can fill gaps where needed. Discover the My Key Nutrients range.

Scientific references

• Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators — Resolution of Inflammation.
• Prebiotics, Probiotics and Nutraceuticals.
• Nature, Signal Transduction & Targeted Therapy — microbiota review (s41392-022-00974-4).

Frequently asked questions

What is immunobiomics?: The study of the interplay between microbiome and immune system: how micro-organisms train your defences and help determine the inflammatory tone.
Is my immune system really in my gut?: A large part of the immune tissue is located around the gut, where it is in constant dialogue with the microbiota.
How does the microbiome influence my immune system?: Among other things by steering the maturation of immune cells and, through substances such as butyrate, promoting regulatory cells that keep the defences in balance.
Can nutrition support my immune balance?: A diverse, fibre-rich diet feeds beneficial microbes and thereby indirectly supports a balanced inflammatory tone, as part of a healthy lifestyle.