Mechanisms connecting diet, metabolism, gut microbiota and immunity

We think that diet and metabolism related molecules underpin altered immunity in western countries, and that this leads to metabolic syndrome diseases. New molecular mechanisms for this connection include short chain fatty acids (SCFA) binding to chemoattractant receptor GPR43. The aim is to identify the precise role of diet in the makeup of the gut microbiota, and the effect of diet and products such as SCFA on immune responses. We will explore a novel molecular mechanism for immune regulation- heterodimerization of GPR43 with other receptors, and modification of their function. We hope that an outcome will be a new understanding of the integral connection between diet, gastrointestinal metabolism, gut microbiota, and immune responses.