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Published on: January 5, 2017
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii supernatant improves intestinal barrier function in mice DSS colitis
Anders H Carlsson1, Olena Yakymenko, Isabelle Olivier
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, and Department of Surgery, County Council of Östergötland , Linköping , Sweden.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE. The intestinal microbiota plays a substantial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FP) is underrepresented in IBD patients and have been suggested to have anti-inflammatory effects in mice. Increased intestinal permeability is common in IBD but the relationship between FP and intestinal barrier function has not been investigated. Our aim was to study treatment with FP supernatant on intestinal barrier function in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis mice model. MATERIAL AND METHODS. C57BL/6 mice received 3% DSS in tap water ad libitum during five days to induce colitis. From day 3 the mice received a daily gavage with FP supernatant or broth during seven days. Ileum and colon were mounted in Ussing chambers for permeability studies with (51)Cr-EDTA and Escherichia coli K-12. Colon was saved for Western blot analyses of tight junction proteins. RESULTS. DSS-treated mice showed significant weight loss and colon shortening. Gavage with FP supernatant resulted in a quicker recovery after DSS treatment and less extensive colonic shortening. Ileal mucosa of DSS mice showed a significant increase in (51)Cr-EDTA-passage compared to controls. (51)Cr-EDTA passage was significantly decreased in mice receiving FP supernatant. No significant differences were observed in passage of E. coli K12. Western blots showed a trend to increased claudin-1 and claudin-2 expressions in DSS mice. CONCLUSIONS. Supernatant of FP enhances the intestinal barrier function by affecting paracellular permeability, and may thereby attenuate the severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice. These findings suggest a potential role of FP in the treatment of IBD.
Insights
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FP) supernatant improved intestinal barrier function in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This suggests FP may be a potential treatment for IBD by enhancing gut health.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- The intestinal microbiota is crucial in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis.
- Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (FP) is reduced in IBD patients and may possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- The impact of FP on intestinal barrier function, a common IBD feature, remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of FP supernatant on intestinal barrier function.
- To evaluate FP supernatant's efficacy in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Induction of colitis in C57BL/6 mice using 3% DSS.
- Daily gavage with FP supernatant or control broth.
- Ussing chamber experiments to measure ileal and colonic permeability using (51)Cr-EDTA and Escherichia coli K-12.
- Western blot analysis of tight junction proteins in colonic tissue.
Main Results:
- DSS-induced colitis mice exhibited weight loss and colon shortening.
- FP supernatant treatment accelerated recovery and reduced colonic shortening post-DSS.
- Ileal permeability increased in DSS mice but decreased with FP supernatant treatment.
- No significant changes in E. coli K-12 passage were observed.
- A trend towards increased claudin-1 and claudin-2 expression was noted in DSS mice.
Conclusions:
- FP supernatant enhances intestinal barrier function by modulating paracellular permeability.
- FP supernatant may mitigate the severity of DSS-induced colitis.
- These findings highlight a potential therapeutic role for FP in managing IBD.
