Microbial messengers: decoding the gut microbiota’s role in bone health through immunomodulation and exosomal signaling
The human gut harbors a complex microbial ecosystem that supports host homeostasis. Gut microbiota (GM) ferment dietary fiber to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which modulate immune function and influence osteoclastogenesis and osteoblast activity. Exosomes, derived from gut and bone cells, containing proteins, lipids, and RNA, mediated bioactive signaling that affects bone metabolism. This review focuses on how GM maintains health through immunomodulation and suppression of gastrointestinal inflammation, while exerting distal effects on bone physiological and pathological conditions.
Authors
- Islam M. Saadeldin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7633-730X)
- Muhammad Shafiq (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1308-1538)
- Ibrar Muhammad Khan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7423-4710)
- Zaigui Wang
- Safir Ullah Khan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7962-0506)
- Nourhan Nassar
- Ayman A. Swelum (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3247-5898)
- Samiullah Khan
- Maoji Cheng
Institutions
- Anhui Agricultural University (CN)
- Anhui University (CN)
- Guizhou University (CN)
- Benha University (EG)
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (SA)
- King Saud University (SA)
- Shantou University (CN)
- Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale (CN)
- Shantou University Medical College (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Published
- 2026-05-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-026-00999-5
- Primary Topic
- Gut microbiota and health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00