The niche-specialist and age-related oral microbial ecosystem

The oral microbial ecosystem, with distinct characteristics in structure and evolution, plays an important role in mucosal homeostasis. The characterization of baseline microbial and functional diversity in the oral microbiome has been discussed, yet the taxon-taxon relationships and the role of the microbes themselves to the host mucosa have still lacked discussion. In addition, the current literature seems insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion about the possible impact of aging on the oral microbiota. Therefore, the study focuses on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the oral microbial ecosystem, and its correlation with immune cells in oral homeostasis.