Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Induces an Anti-inflammatory Response and a Metabolic Reprogramming in Human Monocytes

Area of Science:

• Gut microbiome research
• Immunology
• Cellular metabolism

Background:

• Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a key gut bacterium linked to health.
• Reduced F. prausnitzii is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• F. prausnitzii exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, partly via IL10 induction.

Purpose of the Study:

• Identify human cell types producing IL10 in response to F. prausnitzii.
• Elucidate the mechanisms of F. prausnitzii-induced IL10 production.
• Investigate F. prausnitzii's impact on cellular energy metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Immune cells from blood and intestinal tissue (IBD patients and controls) were stimulated with bacterial strains.
• Analysis included LEGENDplex, ELISA, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and Seahorse technology.
• Investigated IL10 production and cellular responses to F. prausnitzii, Coprococcus comes, and Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

• F. prausnitzii dose-dependently induced IL10 in CD14+ monocytes from circulation and gut.
• No pro-inflammatory response was observed with F. prausnitzii, unlike LPS stimulation.
• F. prausnitzii modulated cellular energy metabolism, dependent on mitochondrial respiration, distinct from other bacteria and LPS.

Conclusions:

• F. prausnitzii induces an anti-inflammatory response in human monocytes.
• The bacterium rewires monocyte energy metabolism in both healthy and inflamed states.
• These findings offer mechanistic insights into F. prausnitzii's benefits for gut health and potential IBD treatment.