Harnessing endogenous riboflavin biosynthesis pathway for functional food development and enhanced mucosal immunity: A double-edged sword against microbial infections

Abstract

In the search for novel therapeutics that utilize structure-based functional food design, we bring forth the renewed interest in the endogenous B2 biosynthesis pathway or B2 metabolites while highlighting the most recent understanding of advancements made in comparative genomics and the integration of experimental strategies. Furthermore, it draws the attention on current bottlenecks inherent to antimicrobial development that hinder the advancement of B2 pathway inhibitors and FMN riboswitch analogues. Here we also expound upon its untapped potential for host immunity mediated by mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a new paradigm in research. The current review outlines critical considerations that not only fill the existing knowledge gaps regarding the recognition of microbial derived B2 metabolites recognition by MAIT cells, but undoubtedly uncovers the signaling function of B2 and MAIT alliance, offering more mechanistic insights into immunotherapeutic strategies against highly resilient microbial infections.

Keywords

• Riboflavin biosynthesis pathway
• Functional food development
• B2 pathway inhibitors
• MAIT immune response