The Intricate Link among Gut “Immunological Niche,” Microbiota, and Xenobiotics in Intestinal Pathology

Table 1

The beneficial effects of the interaction between gut microbiota and immunological niche: the role of rifaximin as a “eubiotic” agent.

Rifaximin may act on both innate and adaptive immune cells and has a role on both mucosal and systemic immunity. Thus, it may have 3 levels of action
(1) Gut microbiota	Positively selecting commensal gut microbial communities: (i) Increasing the proliferation and growth of the protective Lactobacilli; (ii) Inhibiting the proliferation of several pathobionts, including Clostridia and Firmicutes
(2) Inflammation	Inhibiting the PXR-induced transcription of NF-κB proinflammatory-related genes, such as TNF-alpha and IL-1beta
(3) Mucosal and systemic immunity	(i) Reducing TLR activation; (ii) Interfering with T cell circulation and gut homing of CD103^+ lymphocytes and inhibiting proinflammatory T cells, such as Th1 and Th17 cells