The Role of the Microbiome in the Resolution of Infection-Induced Inflammation

The host microbiome plays a crucial protective role against pathogenic infections, not only through direct competition with invading pathogens but also by coordinating host antimicrobial and barrier functions and educating immune cells. While essential for pathogen clearance, unchecked, prolonged, or excessive inflammation from host immune responses can paradoxically lead to serious consequences for the host including the development of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Recent research highlights how microbiome disruptions can exacerbate infection-associated inflammation and pathology. Even with established links among microbes, inflammation, and infection susceptibility, a comprehensive understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms connecting the microbiome's role in resolving infection-associated inflammation remains largely undefined. This review discusses our current understanding of the microbiome's contribution to resolving inflammation and tissue damage postinfection and its potential impact on therapeutic approaches for alleviating infection-induced inflammatory diseases.