Gut dysbiosis and microbial metabolites in atopic dermatitis: implications for immune regulation along gut-skin axis
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University
- 2NUST School of Health Sciences, National University of Science and Technology
- 3Széchenyi István University
- 4College of Natural and Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences and Sustainability, Zayed University
- 5Department of Bioinformatics, Biozentrum Am Hubland, University of Würzburg
- 6Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, impaired epidermal barrier, and strong microbial imbalance. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers are established AD drivers, growing evidence highlights the gut skin axis as an important but underexplored AD pathogenesis factor. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, loss of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and altered metabolite profiles, such as tryptophan derivatives and secondary bile acids, have been linked to systemic immune imbalance and skin inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which gut microbial alterations influence cutaneous immunity remains unclear. This review synthesizes recent advances from clinical and experimental studies to delineate how the gut microbiota and their metabolites shape the immune response, regulate the integrity of the epithelial barrier, and modulate AD severity. By integrating emerging insights into early-life microbial colonization, metabolite-mediated immune programming, and therapeutic interventions, including prebiotics, probiotics, and microbial-derived metabolites, the current gaps and the translational potential of targeting the gut- skin axis. The knowledge consolidated here advances our understanding of AD beyond skin-focused perspectives and highlights new avenues for microbiome-based preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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BibTeX
@article{alia2026dysbiosis,
title = {{Gut dysbiosis and microbial metabolites in atopic dermatitis: implications for immune regulation along gut-skin axis}},
author = {Khushbakhat Alia and Hira Khan and Hamna Muzaffar and Nighat Perveen and Sara Alrashedi and Yusra Al Dhaheri and Yasir Waheed and Mohammed Tauqeer Alam and Muhammad Naseem and Khalid Muhammad},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829876},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829876},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gut dysbiosis and microbial metabolites in atopic dermatitis: implications for immune regulation along gut-skin axis
AU - Khushbakhat Alia
AU - Hira Khan
AU - Hamna Muzaffar
AU - Nighat Perveen
AU - Sara Alrashedi
AU - Yusra Al Dhaheri
AU - Yasir Waheed
AU - Mohammed Tauqeer Alam
AU - Muhammad Naseem
AU - Khalid Muhammad
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/15
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829876
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829876
AB - Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a multifactorial skin disorder characterized by immune dysregulation, impaired epidermal barrier, and strong microbial imbalance. Although genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers are established AD drivers, growing evidence highlights the gut skin axis as an important but underexplored AD pathogenesis factor. Gut microbiota dysbiosis, loss of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and altered metabolite profiles, such as tryptophan derivatives and secondary bile acids, have been linked to systemic immune imbalance and skin inflammation. However, the precise mechanism by which gut microbial alterations influence cutaneous immunity remains unclear. This review synthesizes recent advances from clinical and experimental studies to delineate how the gut microbiota and their metabolites shape the immune response, regulate the integrity of the epithelial barrier, and modulate AD severity. By integrating emerging insights into early-life microbial colonization, metabolite-mediated immune programming, and therapeutic interventions, including prebiotics, probiotics, and microbial-derived metabolites, the current gaps and the translational potential of targeting the gut- skin axis. The knowledge consolidated here advances our understanding of AD beyond skin-focused perspectives and highlights new avenues for microbiome-based preventive and therapeutic strategies.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -