Mechanisms of the natural defenses of hosts to infection

Abstract

The relationship of humans and microbes is an eternal topic. Do microbes bring any benefits or only harm? As years pass, new microbiological technologies appear, new facts regarding the coexistence of microbes and human are discovered, and new understanding of our life together with microbes is achieved. The mechanisms of the host’s natural defenses from infection are considered in this article, with three participants of this chain examined in particular: the hypothalamic-pituitary system, oxytocin, and microbiota. Outwardly, these structures are independent of each other: the central switchboard that provides the universal regulation of our behavior, decision-making, and health is the human brain. It regulates the work of the main vital organs through the production of the neurohormone oxytocin, and it was recently discovered that intestinal microflora (microbiota) participates in this regulation. Thus, the loop is closed, and the question arises: do microbes really control us? Let us examine this more closely.