role in human health and disease. Our study highlights the necessity for further research to elucidate the intricate relationships between gut microbiota, host immunity, biological sex, and their interplay. IMPORTANCE: across multiple regions of the intestinal tract, this study offers new insights into the localized and whole-body effects of this important immune-programming microbe. Such an understanding is crucial as it helps in unraveling the complex interplay between gut microbes and the host's immune system. This research helps bridge the gap between local intestinal ecology and overall systemic health, addresses important questions relevant to the gut-lung axis, and helps pave the way for innovative therapies.
Valls et al. (2026) studied this question.