Research on the multilevel pathogenesis and cross-scale correlation networks of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mediating central nervous system disorders
- 1School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- 2Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
- 3State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Abstract
The microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is a bidirectional communication network that contributes to organismal homeostasis through neural, endocrine, immune, and microbial metabolic signaling. The gut microbiota influences central nervous system (CNS) function through pathways involving the vagus nerve and circulation, with metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan derivatives regulating neurogenesis, barrier integrity, and immune responses. Conversely, the CNS modulates the intestinal environment through the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby influencing gut barrier function and microbial composition. Disruption of this regulatory network may initiate a cascade of pathological changes, linking microbial metabolic alterations and cellular dysfunction to intestinal barrier impairment, systemic inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, and altered brain function. Such MGBA disturbances have been associated with CNS disorders. This review synthesizes five core communication mechanisms of the MGBA and examines how their interactions across molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels may contribute to CNS pathology. By framing CNS disorders as dynamic processes involving cross-scale network imbalance, this review provides an integrated perspective on MGBA-related disease mechanisms and highlights directions for targeted intervention.
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BibTeX
@article{liu2026research,
title = {{Research on the multilevel pathogenesis and cross-scale correlation networks of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mediating central nervous system disorders}},
author = {Liying Liu and Mengru Cai and Yu Yin and Yongjian Song and Jue Zhuang and Bingyue Shen and Yanan Liu and Yi Liu},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1995842},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1995842/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research on the multilevel pathogenesis and cross-scale correlation networks of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in mediating central nervous system disorders
AU - Liying Liu
AU - Mengru Cai
AU - Yu Yin
AU - Yongjian Song
AU - Jue Zhuang
AU - Bingyue Shen
AU - Yanan Liu
AU - Yi Liu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/09
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1995842
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1995842/full
AB - The microbiome-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is a bidirectional communication network that contributes to organismal homeostasis through neural, endocrine, immune, and microbial metabolic signaling. The gut microbiota influences central nervous system (CNS) function through pathways involving the vagus nerve and circulation, with metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan derivatives regulating neurogenesis, barrier integrity, and immune responses. Conversely, the CNS modulates the intestinal environment through the autonomic nervous system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thereby influencing gut barrier function and microbial composition. Disruption of this regulatory network may initiate a cascade of pathological changes, linking microbial metabolic alterations and cellular dysfunction to intestinal barrier impairment, systemic inflammation, blood-brain barrier disruption, and altered brain function. Such MGBA disturbances have been associated with CNS disorders. This review synthesizes five core communication mechanisms of the MGBA and examines how their interactions across molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and systemic levels may contribute to CNS pathology. By framing CNS disorders as dynamic processes involving cross-scale network imbalance, this review provides an integrated perspective on MGBA-related disease mechanisms and highlights directions for targeted intervention.
SN - 1664-3224
ER -