Zhou X, Johnson JS, Spakowicz D, et al. - In view of recent studies suggesting a role of interaction between the gut microbiome and IL-17/IL-22 producing cells in the development of metabolic diseases in mouse models, researchers examined this association in humans utilizing data from the prediabetes study of the Integrated Human Microbiome Project. Particularly, they tested the hypothesis of a decline in serum levels of IL-17/IL-22 early in the onset of metabolic diseases with concomitant changes in the gut microbiome. Per analysis, individuals distinguished by low levels of IL-17/IL-22 were linked to established markers of metabolic disease, including insulin sensitivity. Further, these individuals exhibited gut microbiome dysbiosis, decreased diversity, and IL-17/IL-22-related declines in the phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia, and order Clostridiales. This ancillary analysis thus provide support to a correlation between the gut microbiome, IL-17/IL-22 and the onset of metabolic diseases. This highlights the possible value of novel, microbiome-related therapeutic targets that may effectively reduce metabolic diseases in humans as they do in animal models.