Editorial: The Role of Microbiota in the Onset and Development of Intestine and Liver Diseases and Cancer: Molecular and Cell Mechanisms

In the last decades, numerous studies highlighted the huge taxonomic and functional complexity that characterizes the human microbiota, demonstrating its role in several physiological processes necessary for host survival. This evidence supports the hypothesis that the microbiota constitutes an “essential organ” instead of a “simple” conglomerate of microbial symbionts. Furthermore, findings point out a mutual host-microbiota interaction, whose imbalance can trigger dysbiosis and, in turn, the onset of illnesses or vice versa. In the latter case, dysbiosis can magnify sicknesses. Several factors can alter microbiota homeostasis and the present Research Topic collects seven reviews and four original contributions focused on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction between host and microbiota which can help to unravel the possible cause of disease and find new therapeutic approaches.