The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease
Abstract Traditionally regarded as a vestigial organ, the appendix is now being reevaluated for its significant function in health and nutrition of humans. Serving as a “safe house” for beneficial, desired gut bacteria, the appendix is protected by resilient biofilms that create a secure environment...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Gut Pathogens |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00696-2 |
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| author | Md Shahjalal Sagor Tarequl Islam Noshin Tabassum Tamanna Md. Kamrul Islam Bappy Danishuddin Md Azizul Haque Maximilian Lackner |
| author_facet | Md Shahjalal Sagor Tarequl Islam Noshin Tabassum Tamanna Md. Kamrul Islam Bappy Danishuddin Md Azizul Haque Maximilian Lackner |
| author_sort | Md Shahjalal Sagor |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Traditionally regarded as a vestigial organ, the appendix is now being reevaluated for its significant function in health and nutrition of humans. Serving as a “safe house” for beneficial, desired gut bacteria, the appendix is protected by resilient biofilms that create a secure environment. This makes the appendix a”basin” for gut microbiota (GM), replenishing the microbial population following disruptions from infections, antibiotic use, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Beyond simply hosting bacteria, the appendix has an active role in functions of the immune system. Disruption of the Appendix Microbiome (AM), such as through appendectomy, was found to result in lowered diversity of gut microorganisms and an increased risk of various diseases. The potential therapeutic applications of the AM are a particularly promising area of research. The appendix’s unique microbial environment and its impact on immunity open new avenues for treatments. These include modulating GM to improve cancer treatment outcomes, mitigating IBD, regulating metabolic pathways in obesity and diabetes, influencing neurotransmitter production in neurological disorders, and addressing cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. This review highlights the appendix’s transformation from a misunderstood organ to a critical component of gut health and immunity. It explores the function of the human appendix as a resilient reservoir for desired microorganisms, and its role in disease progression. Furthermore, it examines the potential therapeutic applications of AM, presenting exciting opportunities for future research and treatment innovations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-54bcb79622d2408283dc3b2179e4552d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1757-4749 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Gut Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-54bcb79622d2408283dc3b2179e4552d2025-08-20T03:26:44ZengBMCGut Pathogens1757-47492025-06-0117112610.1186/s13099-025-00696-2The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and diseaseMd Shahjalal Sagor0Tarequl Islam1Noshin Tabassum Tamanna2Md. Kamrul Islam Bappy3Danishuddin4Md Azizul Haque5Maximilian Lackner6Department of Microbiology, Jagannath UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology UniversityDepartment of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology UniversityDepartment of Microbiology, Noakhali Science and Technology UniversityDepartment of Biotechnology, Yeungnam UniversityDepartment of Biotechnology, Yeungnam UniversityDepartment of Industrial Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Technikum WienAbstract Traditionally regarded as a vestigial organ, the appendix is now being reevaluated for its significant function in health and nutrition of humans. Serving as a “safe house” for beneficial, desired gut bacteria, the appendix is protected by resilient biofilms that create a secure environment. This makes the appendix a”basin” for gut microbiota (GM), replenishing the microbial population following disruptions from infections, antibiotic use, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Beyond simply hosting bacteria, the appendix has an active role in functions of the immune system. Disruption of the Appendix Microbiome (AM), such as through appendectomy, was found to result in lowered diversity of gut microorganisms and an increased risk of various diseases. The potential therapeutic applications of the AM are a particularly promising area of research. The appendix’s unique microbial environment and its impact on immunity open new avenues for treatments. These include modulating GM to improve cancer treatment outcomes, mitigating IBD, regulating metabolic pathways in obesity and diabetes, influencing neurotransmitter production in neurological disorders, and addressing cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. This review highlights the appendix’s transformation from a misunderstood organ to a critical component of gut health and immunity. It explores the function of the human appendix as a resilient reservoir for desired microorganisms, and its role in disease progression. Furthermore, it examines the potential therapeutic applications of AM, presenting exciting opportunities for future research and treatment innovations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00696-2Appendix microbiomeGut healthAppendectomyNeurological disordersImmune systemTherapeutic potential |
| spellingShingle | Md Shahjalal Sagor Tarequl Islam Noshin Tabassum Tamanna Md. Kamrul Islam Bappy Danishuddin Md Azizul Haque Maximilian Lackner The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease Gut Pathogens Appendix microbiome Gut health Appendectomy Neurological disorders Immune system Therapeutic potential |
| title | The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| title_full | The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| title_fullStr | The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| title_full_unstemmed | The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| title_short | The functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| title_sort | functional landscape of the appendix microbiome under conditions of health and disease |
| topic | Appendix microbiome Gut health Appendectomy Neurological disorders Immune system Therapeutic potential |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13099-025-00696-2 |
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