Published online Nov 14, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i42.7247
Peer-review started: March 16, 2021
First decision: August 9, 2021
Revised: August 17, 2021
Accepted: October 27, 2021
Article in press: October 27, 2021
Published online: November 14, 2021
Bacteria are known to communicate with each other and regulate their activities in social networks by secreting and sensing signaling molecules called autoinducers, a process known as quorum sensing (QS). This is a growing area of research in which we are expanding our understanding of how bacteria collectively modify their behavior but are also involved in the crosstalk between the host and gut microbiome. This is particularly relevant in the case of pathologies associated with dysbiosis or disorders of the intestinal ecosystem. This review will examine the different QS systems and the evidence for their presence in the intestinal ecosystem. We will also provide clues on the role of QS molecules that may exert, directly or indirectly through their bacterial gossip, an influence on intestinal epithelial barrier function, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal carcinogenesis. This review aims to provide evidence on the role of QS molecules in gut physiology and the potential shared by this new player. Better understanding the impact of intestinal bacterial social networks and ultimately developing new therapeutic strategies to control intestinal disorders remains a challenge that needs to be addressed in the future.
Core Tip: Host-microbiota interactions play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of many intestinal diseases. While biological components have been repeatedly described, a largely overlooked component is quorum sensing (QS), a density-dependent system able to coordinate bacterial responses and interact with host cells constantly exposed to bacteria. This review intends to describe the different QS systems to show evidence that QS is part of the intestinal ecosystem and highlight its impact on intestinal epithelial barrier function, inflammation, and intestinal carcinogenesis. From this report, we open up a new area of intestinal physiology.