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Updated: May 4, 2026
DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat
Published on: February 27, 2014
The commensal bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is protective in DNBS-induced chronic moderate and severe
Rebeca Martín1, Florian Chain, Sylvie Miquel
1*INRA, Commensal and Probiotics-Host Interactions Laboratory, UMR 1319 Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas, France; †AgroParisTech, UMR 1319 Micalis, Jouy-en-Josas, France; ‡Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; §Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Antoine and UPMC University of Paris, Paris, France; and ‖Equipe AVENIR Gut Microbiota and Immunity, INSERM U1057/UMR CNRS 7203, Université Pierre et Marie Curie 6, Paris, France.
Background:
The abundance of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, an abundant and representative bacterium of Firmicutes phylum, has consistently been observed to be lower in patients with Crohn's disease than in healthy individuals. We have shown that both F. prausnitzii and its culture supernatant (SN) have anti-inflammatory and protective effects in a TNBS-induced acute colitis mouse model. Here, we tested the effects of both F. prausnitzii and its SN in moderate and severe DNBS-induced chronic colitis mouse models.
Methods:
Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of DNBS. After either 4 or 10 days of recovery (severe and moderate protocols, respectively), groups of mice were intragastrically administered either with F. prausnitzii A2-165 or with its culture SN for 7 or 10 days. Three days before being sacrificed, colitis was reactivated by administration of a lower dose of DNBS. The severity of colitis at the time of being sacrificed was assessed by weight loss and macroscopic and microscopic scores. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine levels, lymphocyte populations, and changes in microbiota were studied.
Results:
Intragastric administration of either F. prausnitzii or its SN led to a significant decrease in colitis severity in both severe and moderate chronic colitis models. The lower severity of colitis was associated with down-regulation of MPO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and T-cell levels.
Conclusions:
We show, for the first time, protective effects of both F. prausnitzii and its SN during both the period of recovery from chronic colitis and colitis reactivation. These results provide further evidence that F. prausnitzii is an anti-inflammatory bacterium with therapeutic potential for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Insights
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and its supernatant show protective effects against chronic colitis in mice. This suggests potential therapeutic applications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a key gut bacterium, is less abundant in Crohn's disease patients.
- Previous studies demonstrated F. prausnitzii and its culture supernatant (SN) possess anti-inflammatory properties in acute colitis models.
- This study investigates the therapeutic potential of F. prausnitzii and its SN in chronic colitis models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of F. prausnitzii and its SN in established moderate and severe chronic colitis mouse models.
- To assess the impact of these interventions on key inflammatory markers and immune cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Chronic colitis was induced using intrarectal administration of DNBS in mice.
- Mice received intragastric F. prausnitzii or its SN during recovery and after colitis reactivation.
- Colitis severity was assessed via weight loss, macroscopic/microscopic scores, MPO activity, cytokine levels, and lymphocyte populations.
Main Results:
- Both F. prausnitzii and its SN significantly reduced colitis severity in both chronic models.
- Treatment correlated with decreased MPO activity, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and T-cell levels.
- Microbiota composition changes were also observed.
Conclusions:
- F. prausnitzii and its SN demonstrate protective effects during chronic colitis recovery and reactivation.
- These findings reinforce F. prausnitzii's role as an anti-inflammatory agent.
- The study supports the therapeutic potential of F. prausnitzii for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treatment.
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