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Improvement of human faecal flora-associated mouse model for evaluation of the functional foods
A Imaoka1, H Setoyama, A Takagi
1Yakult Central Institute for Microbiological Research, Tokyo, Japan.
Aims:
Animal models are required for evaluation of the functional foods such as pro/prebiotics exerting effects through the metabolism of the intestinal microflora. The object of this study was to establish new human flora-associated mice reflecting the environment of the human intestinal tract.
Methods And Results:
We inoculated a human faecal suspension into segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) monoassociated mice as a model system. In both human flora (HF) and SFB-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), intestinal characteristics such as the composition of intraepithelial lymphocytes, the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and the number of immunoglobulin A-producing cells in the mucosa was closer to those of conventionally reared mice than was case with human flora-associated mice (HF mice) lacking SFB. Several predominant bacterial groups except lactobacilli in human flora were found in faeces of HF-SFB mice. Lactobacilli established small populations in the gut of HF-SFB mice when administered before inoculation with the human flora. Faecal enzymatic activities and organic acid concentration of HF-SFB mice proportionally reflected those of the donor subject.
Conclusion:
We established a new human flora-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), in which intestinal characteristics are normally developed and their major microbial composition reflect the human.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
HF-SFB mice are a valuable model for studying pro/prebiotic effects on the human intestine.
Insights
A new mouse model, the human flora-associated SFB mouse, was developed to better mimic the human gut environment. This model accurately reflects human intestinal characteristics and microbial composition, aiding functional food research.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Evaluating functional foods like prebiotics requires suitable animal models that mimic human intestinal microflora.
- Existing human flora-associated mice (HF mice) do not fully replicate the human intestinal environment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a novel human flora-associated mouse model (HF-SFB mouse) that accurately reflects the human intestinal tract.
- To create a more suitable model for studying the effects of functional foods on the human gut.
Main Methods:
- Human fecal suspension was inoculated into segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) monoassociated mice.
- Intestinal characteristics and microbial composition were analyzed in HF-SFB mice compared to HF mice and conventionally reared mice.
Main Results:
- HF-SFB mice exhibited intestinal characteristics closer to conventionally reared mice than HF mice lacking SFB.
- Predominant bacterial groups and fecal enzymatic activities in HF-SFB mice reflected the donor subject.
- Lactobacilli were successfully established in HF-SFB mice when administered prior to human flora inoculation.
Conclusions:
- A new human flora-associated mouse model (HF-SFB mouse) was successfully established.
- This model demonstrates normally developed intestinal characteristics and a microbial composition reflective of humans.
- HF-SFB mice are a valuable tool for investigating the impact of pro/prebiotics on the human intestine.
