Editorial of special issue “the interplay of microbiome and immune response in health and diseases”

Increasing data suggests and supports the idea that the gut microbiota (GM) modulates different host pathways, playing a crucial role in human physiology and consequently impacting in the development of some pathologic conditions. Explorations of how the microscopic communities might contribute to health or disease have moved from obscure to ubiquitous. Recently, studies have linked our microbial settlers to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)s, obesity, asthma, autism spectrum disorders, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. In agreement with Hanage, who suggested a scepticism dose about the predominant role of microbiota, we have edited this special issue with the aim to publish manuscripts respecting this spirit of scientific rigor to the detriment of enthusiasm (which often characterizes GM studies).