Microbial experience through housing in a farmyard-type environment alters intestinal barrier properties in mouse...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Conventional laboratory mice lack environmental exposures common to humans, potentially limiting disease model relevance.
• Previous studies demonstrated that feralized mice exhibit protection against colorectal cancer compared to conventionally reared mice.
• The underlying mechanisms for this protective effect remain unclear, particularly concerning the intestinal barrier.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of feralization on colonic mucosal barrier properties in mice.
• To identify potential molecular mechanisms contributing to enhanced disease resistance in feralized mice.

Main Methods:

• Assessment of colonic mucosal barrier properties in healthy, feralized C57BL/6JRj male mice.
• Gene expression analysis of proteins involved in mucus production, bacterial defense, and inflammatory responses.

Main Results:

• Feralization did not alter mucus layer properties but increased the expression of genes (Fcgbp, Clca1) associated with mucus components, suggesting mucus layer reinforcement.
• Feralized mice showed higher expression of genes involved in bacterial defense (Itln1, Ang1, Retnlb) and inflammatory regulation (Zbp1, Gsdmc2).
• These gene expression changes indicate an altered intestinal mucosal barrier in feralized mice.

Conclusions:

• Housing mice in a farmyard-type environment (feralization) modifies intestinal barrier properties.
• The altered intestinal barrier in feralized mice may contribute to their enhanced protection against diseases like colorectal cancer.
• Further research, including proteomic analyses and in vivo barrier assessments, is needed to fully understand the regulatory roles of feralization.