Calleja-Conde, JavierEcheverry-Alzate, VictorBühler, Kora-MareenDurán-González, PedroMorales-García, Jose ÁngelSegovia-Rodríguez, LucíaRodríguez de Fonseca, FernandoGiné, ElenaLópez-Moreno, Jose Antonio2022-07-062022-07-062021-07-13Calleja-Conde J, Echeverry-Alzate V, Bühler KM, Durán-González P, Morales-García JÁ, Segovia-Rodríguez L, et al. The Immune System through the Lens of Alcohol Intake and Gut Microbiota. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jul 13;22(14):7485http://hdl.handle.net/10668/3751The human gut is the largest organ with immune function in our body, responsible for regulating the homeostasis of the intestinal barrier. A diverse, complex and dynamic population of microorganisms, called microbiota, which exert a significant impact on the host during homeostasis and disease, supports this role. In fact, intestinal bacteria maintain immune and metabolic homeostasis, protecting our organism against pathogens. The development of numerous inflammatory disorders and infections has been linked to altered gut bacterial composition or dysbiosis. Multiple factors contribute to the establishment of the human gut microbiota. For instance, diet is considered as one of the many drivers in shaping the gut microbiota across the lifetime. By contrast, alcohol is one of the many factors that disrupt the proper functioning of the gut, leading to a disruption of the intestinal barrier integrity that increases the permeability of the mucosa, with the final result of a disrupted mucosal immunity. This damage to the permeability of the intestinal membrane allows bacteria and their components to enter the blood tissue, reaching other organs such as the liver or the brain. Although chronic heavy drinking has harmful effects on the immune system cells at the systemic level, this review focuses on the effect produced on gut, brain and liver, because of their significance in the link between alcohol consumption, gut microbiota and the immune system.enAtribución 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/AlcoholGutMicrobiotaBrainLiverImmune systemDysbiosisMicrobioma gastrointestinalEncéfaloHígadoSistema inmunológicoSistema inmunológicoDisbiosisMedical Subject Headings::Psychiatry and Psychology::Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms::Behavior::Drinking Behavior::Alcohol DrinkingMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::AnimalsMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathologic Processes::DysbiosisMedical Subject Headings::Organisms::Eukaryota::Animals::Chordata::Vertebrates::Mammals::Primates::Haplorhini::Catarrhini::Hominidae::HumansMedical Subject Headings::Anatomy::Hemic and Immune Systems::Immune SystemMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Chemical Phenomena::PermeabilityMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Immune System Phenomena::Immunity::Immunity, MucosalMedical Subject Headings::Phenomena and Processes::Microbiological Phenomena::Microbiotareview article34299105open access10.3390/ijms221474851422-0067PMC8303153