The Gut Microbiome as a Target for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic and debilitating disorders characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. For a long time, these conditions were primarily viewed as immune-mediated disorders with genetic and environmental factors playing key roles. The exploration of the gut microbiome's role as a target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that has gained significant attention over the past couple of decades. The history of the gut microbiome as a target for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases reflects a journey from the recognition of microbial involvement in IBD to the exploration of novel therapeutic interventions. The topic continues to drive innovative research with the potential to revolutionize our understanding of IBD pathogenesis and treatment approaches.

Aim and scope of the Special Issue:

The aim of this Special Issue is to present cutting-edge research and advancements in understanding the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). By assembling a collection of multidisciplinary research, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the potential therapeutic opportunities offered by harnessing the gut microbiome's intricate interactions with the host immune system.

Inflammatory bowel diseases, encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, pose significant challenges to patients and healthcare providers alike. Recent breakthroughs have illuminated the profound influence of the gut microbiome on IBD pathogenesis, offering novel avenues for therapeutic intervention. This Special Issue seeks to consolidate and present the latest research that investigates the dynamic interplay between the gut microbiome and IBD, with a primary focus on innovative strategies aimed at leveraging this relationship for treatment.

Contributions to this Special Issue will cover a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Microbiome Dysbiosis and IBD Pathogenesis: Exploring the association between alterations in gut microbial composition and the initiation and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases, along with mechanistic insights into microbial contributions to inflammation.
• Microbiome as a Therapeutic Target: Presenting state-of-the-art research on the development of microbiome-based interventions, such as probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and engineered microbial consortia, for the treatment of IBD.
• Microbiome–Host Interactions: Investigating the intricate molecular and immunological crosstalk between the gut microbiome and the host, elucidating how microbial metabolites and products modulate the immune response in the context of IBD.
• Personalized Approaches to Treatment: Highlighting the emerging role of personalized medicine in tailoring microbiome-targeted therapies to individual patients, taking into account their unique gut microbiota profiles and disease characteristics.
• Novel Diagnostic and Therapeutic Biomarkers: Discussing the identification and validation of microbiome-derived biomarkers that can aid in early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and predicting treatment responses in IBD.
• Advancements in Microbiome Analysis Techniques: Showcasing innovative methods, including high-throughput sequencing, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metaproteomics, and metabolomics, for deciphering the complex composition and functional dynamics of the gut microbiome.
• Microbiome and Beyond: Systemic Implications: Investigating the potential systemic effects of microbiome-targeted interventions, including impacts on extra-intestinal manifestations, the gut–brain axis, and overall patient well-being.

 Cutting-edge research:

• Personalized Microbiome Interventions: Papers discussing personalized approaches to treating IBD based on an individual's unique gut microbiome composition and immune response. This could include microbiome profiling to identify specific microbial strains associated with disease or response to treatment.
• Microbiome–Host Interactions: Research focusing on the intricate interactions between the gut microbiota and the host immune system in the context of IBD. This could involve studies on how specific microbial metabolites influence immune responses and inflammation.
• Microbiome Modulation Strategies: Exploring innovative strategies to modulate the gut microbiome for therapeutic purposes. This might include the development of designer probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, and other interventions aimed at restoring microbial balance.
• Advanced Omics Technologies: Papers highlighting the use of cutting-edge omics technologies, such as metagenomics, meta transcriptomics, metaproteomic, and metabolomics, to gain deeper insights into the gut microbiome's role in IBD and identify potential therapeutic targets.
• Microbiome and Drug Response: Investigating how the gut microbiome influences the efficacy and safety of traditional IBD treatments and emerging therapies. This could involve studies on how microbiota impact drug metabolism and the immune response to medications.
• Microbiome Engineering: Research on engineering the gut microbiome to enhance its therapeutic potential. This could involve introducing beneficial microbes, modifying existing ones, or engineering microbial communities to produce specific therapeutic compounds.
• Microbiome and Mucosal Healing: Exploring the role of the gut microbiome in mucosal healing and tissue repair in IBD patients. Cutting-edge studies might delve into the mechanisms through which microbiota contribute to gut barrier function and tissue regeneration.
• Microbiome and Early Intervention: Investigating the potential of early-life interventions to shape the gut microbiome and prevent the development of IBD. This could include studies on prenatal and neonatal influences on the microbiome and disease risk.
• Microbiome and Neurological Effects: Exploring emerging connections between the gut microbiome and neurological aspects of IBD, such as the gut-brain axis. Research might focus on how the microbiome influences inflammation and gut-brain communication.
• Microbiome and Long-Term Outcomes: Investigating the impact of long-term microbiome changes on disease progression, remission, and relapse in IBD patients. Studies could examine how sustained microbiome alterations affect treatment responses and patient outcomes.

What kind of papers we are soliciting:

• Original Research Articles: These papers present new research findings related to the gut microbiome and its connection to inflammatory bowel diseases. Original research might include studies on the composition, diversity, and function of the gut microbiota in IBD patients, as well as investigations into the mechanisms through which microbiota influence disease progression.
• Review Articles: Review articles provide comprehensive overviews of existing literature on the topic. They can summarize recent advances in understanding the gut microbiome's role in IBD, highlight key findings, and identify gaps in knowledge. Reviews can help researchers and clinicians stay up to date with the latest developments.
• Clinical Studies and Trials: Clinical studies and trials that investigate the efficacy of gut microbiome-based interventions in treating inflammatory bowel diseases would be valuable contributions. These papers could discuss outcomes of dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and other therapeutic strategies.
• Mechanistic Studies: Papers that delve into the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which the gut microbiome interacts with the host immune system and contributes to inflammation in IBD would be of great interest. These studies could shed light on potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
• Translational Research: Translational research bridges the gap between basic science and clinical applications. Papers in this category might focus on translating laboratory findings into practical therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases, discussing challenges and opportunities in moving from bench to bedside.
• Case Reports: Case reports can provide valuable insights into specific patient cases that illustrate the relationship between gut microbiome changes and inflammatory bowel diseases. These reports can highlight unique clinical presentations, responses to treatments, and unexpected outcomes.
• Technology and Methodology Advances: Papers that introduce new methods, techniques, or technologies for studying the gut microbiome in the context of inflammatory bowel diseases can help advance the field. This could include innovations in sequencing, microbiome analysis, and data interpretation.
• Ethical and Regulatory Considerations: Ethical considerations surrounding gut microbiome research, especially in the context of potential therapies, are important to address. Papers discussing ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of using microbiome-based interventions in IBD treatment would be relevant.
• Future Directions and Challenges: Papers that discuss future directions for research, potential hurdles, and challenges in harnessing the gut microbiome for IBD treatment can stimulate further exploration in the field and guide researchers and practitioners.
• Interdisciplinary Collaborations: Collaboration between various scientific disciplines, such as microbiology, immunology, gastroenterology, and bioinformatics, is essential for advancing our understanding of the gut microbiome in IBD. Papers highlighting successful interdisciplinary collaborations could be valuable.

Dr. Limin Shi
Dr. Zhipeng Tao
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
• gut microbiome
• microbial dysbiosis
• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• microbiota
• microbiome–host interactions
• immune response
• microbial metabolites
• fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)
• probiotics
• prebiotics
• postbiotics
• precision medicine
• personalized therapy
• microbial biomarkers
• microbiome-based interventions
• microbiome modulation
• mucosal healing
• gut–brain axis
• microbiome analysis techniques
• clinical trials
• translational research
• microbial engineering
• therapeutic targets
• metabolomics