From an evolutionary standpoint, trans-kingdom interactions reflect the coevolutionary dynamics between different microbial communities and their hosts. These interactions have likely evolved over millions of years, establishing intricate relationships that contribute to the stability and functioning of the gut ecosystem. From an ecological perspective, the interactions among bacteria, bacteriophages, and fungi within the gut play a pivotal role in maintaining a balanced microbial community. Each component exerts distinct influences in this complex web of interactions. Bacteria impact viral and fungal dynamics through mechanisms such as resource competition and antimicrobial substance production. Bacteriophages modulate bacterial populations through lytic infections or lysogeny, while fungi interact with bacteria and viruses through metabolic interactions and immune response modulation. Collectively, these interactions foster the overall stability and functionality of the gut ecosystem.
In terms of human health, trans-kingdom interactions have been implicated in various cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. Their significance is particularly pronounced in vulnerable populations, such as preterm infants, whose gut microbiomes are still developing. Disturbances in these interactions can have enduring effects on health and development. Additionally, emerging research suggests that trans-kingdom interactions may contribute to neurological disorders, including neurodevelopmental conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, through bidirectional communication along the gut-brain axis.
To achieve a comprehensive understanding of these interactions, we employ integrated multi-omics approaches, incorporating metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and culturomics. These approaches allow us to unravel the dynamic interplay among different microbial components. Longitudinal studies, encompassing large-scale cohorts, are instrumental in unraveling the temporal dynamics and causal relationships between trans-kingdom interactions and human health outcomes. These approaches enable the identification of key microbial taxa or strains associated with specific health outcomes or alterations observed in longitudinal cohort studies. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) within our center, we can also predict how alterations in the microbiome may impact the behavior of the gut microbiota and consequently influence functional metabolic pathways and overall health. Furthermore, these approaches will facilitate the discovery of potential interactions between phages and bacteria that may influence the stability or resilience of the gut microbiota.
