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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Therapeutic Evaluation of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Interleukin 10-Deficient Mouse Model
Published on: April 6, 2022
Fecal microbiota transplantation reduces mouse mortality from Listeria monocytogenes infection
Liang Guo1, Xianhong Yin2, Qing Liu3
1Zaozhuang University, Shandong, 277160, China; School of Medical Instrument and Food Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China.
Abstract:
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a food bacterium with strong pathogenicity which causes infections via the gastrointestinal tract. Mechanisms by which gut microbiota (GM) resist microbial infections have received little attention. Eight-week-old mice were orally inoculated with wild-type Lm EGD-e and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) employed. GM richness and diversity of infected mice changed rapidly within 24h. Firmicutes class decreased and Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes and Ruminococcaceae increased significantly. Coprococcus, Blautia and Eubacterium also increased on the 3rd day post-infection. Moreover, GM transplanted from healthy mice reduced mortality of infected mice by approximately 32%. FMT treatment decreased production of TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-1β and IL-6 relative to PBS treatment. In summary, FMT has potential as a treatment against Lm infection and may be used for bacterial resistance management. Further work is required to elucidate the key GM effector molecules.
Insights
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can improve resistance to Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection by altering gut microbiota composition and reducing harmful inflammatory responses, potentially serving as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a pathogenic foodborne bacterium infecting the gastrointestinal tract.
- Mechanisms of gut microbiota (GM) in resisting microbial infections are not well understood.
- Understanding GM's role is crucial for managing Lm infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Lm infection on gut microbiota composition.
- To evaluate the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) as a treatment for Lm infection.
- To assess the effect of FMT on host immune response and mortality.
Main Methods:
- Oral inoculation of mice with wild-type Lm EGD-e.
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy donors to infected mice.
- Analysis of gut microbiota composition (richness, diversity, specific taxa).
- Measurement of inflammatory cytokine levels (TNFα, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6).
Main Results:
- Lm infection rapidly altered GM richness and diversity within 24 hours.
- Significant shifts in bacterial populations, including decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, and Ruminococcaceae.
- FMT reduced mortality by approximately 32% and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
- Specific genera like Coprococcus, Blautia, and Eubacterium increased post-infection.
Conclusions:
- FMT shows potential as an effective therapeutic strategy against Lm infection.
- FMT modulates gut microbiota and reduces detrimental inflammatory responses.
- Further research is needed to identify key GM effector molecules for bacterial resistance management.
