Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
The Citrobacter rodentium Mouse Model: Studying Pathogen and Host Contributions to Infectious Colitis
Published on: February 19, 2013
Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis: A robust model to study mucosal immune responses in the gut
Ekaterina P Koroleva1, Sydney Halperin1, Ekaterina O Gubernatorova1
1Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA.
Abstract:
Citrobacter rodentium is a natural mouse pathogen which reproducibly infects mice and causes intestinal disease. The C. rodentium model of infection is very useful for investigating host-pathogen immune interactions in the gut, and can also be used to understand the pathogenesis of several important human intestinal disorders, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, dysbiosis and colon tumorigenesis. Both innate and adaptive immune responses play a critical role in protection against C. rodentium. Here, we summarize the role of immune components in protection against C. rodentium and describe techniques for the analysis of innate and adaptive mucosal immune responses, including setting up the infection, analysis of colonic hyperplasia and bacterial dissemination, evaluation of antibody responses, and purification and analysis of intestinal epithelial and lymphoid cells.
Insights
Citrobacter rodentium infection in mice models gut immune responses. This study details methods to analyze innate and adaptive immunity, aiding research into human intestinal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Citrobacter rodentium is a natural mouse pathogen causing intestinal disease.
- The C. rodentium infection model is crucial for studying gut host-pathogen immune interactions.
- This model aids research into human intestinal disorders like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, dysbiosis, and colon cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the role of immune components in protection against C. rodentium.
- To describe techniques for analyzing innate and adaptive mucosal immune responses in this model.
Main Methods:
- Establishing C. rodentium infection in mice.
- Analyzing colonic hyperplasia and bacterial dissemination.
- Evaluating antibody responses.
- Purifying and analyzing intestinal epithelial and lymphoid cells.
Main Results:
- Innate and adaptive immune responses are critical for protection against C. rodentium.
- Detailed methodologies are provided for comprehensive immune response analysis.
- The study outlines techniques applicable to various aspects of mucosal immunity.
Conclusions:
- The C. rodentium mouse model is a valuable tool for investigating gut immunity.
- Understanding immune responses in this model has implications for human intestinal diseases.
- The described techniques facilitate in-depth analysis of mucosal immune components.
