The soil-plant-human gut microbiome axis into perspective

Nature Communications, vol. 16, pp. 7748

Abstract

Microbiomes of soil, plants, and the animal gut are pivotal for key life processes such as nutrient cycling, stress resilience, and immunity. While studies have hinted at a shared microbial reservoir connecting these environments, compelling evidence of a soil-plant-gut microbiome axis is scarce. This perspective explores the potential continuum and diversification of microbes along this axis, highlighting specific microorganisms capable of moving from soil to plants to the human gut. A conceptual framework is proposed to better understand the mechanisms driving interactions among these microbiomes. We also examine how soil, plant, and gut microbiomes may co-evolve and influence one another through reciprocal effects. We consider external environmental factors that could strengthen their interconnections, potentially creating beneficial feedback loops that impact ecosystem and human health.

Authors 3

1. Haikun Ma corresponding

   Nankai University · Netherlands Institute of Ecology · State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands. mahaikun@nankai.edu.cn

   State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. mahaikun@nankai.edu.cn

   Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands

   State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China

2. Deborah Cornadó

   Netherlands Institute of Ecology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands

3. Jos M. Raaijmakers Aachen Institute of Biology, Leiden University

   Leiden University · Netherlands Institute of Ecology

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands. j.raaijmakers@nioo.knaw.nl

   Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. j.raaijmakers@nioo.knaw.nl

   Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, The Netherlands