Indoleacrylic Acid Produced by Commensal Peptostreptococcus Species Suppresses Inflammation.

Cell Host Microbe
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Host factors in the intestine help select for bacteria that promote health. Certain commensals can utilize mucins as an energy source, thus promoting their colonization. However, health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with a reduced mucus layer, potentially leading to dysbiosis associated with this disease. We characterize the capability of commensal species to cleave and transport mucin-associated monosaccharides and identify several Clostridiales members that utilize intestinal mucins. One such mucin utilizer, Peptostreptococcus russellii, reduces susceptibility to epithelial injury in mice. Several Peptostreptococcus species contain a gene cluster enabling production of the tryptophan metabolite indoleacrylic acid (IA), which promotes intestinal epithelial barrier function and mitigates inflammatory responses. Furthermore, metagenomic analysis of human stool samples reveals that the genetic capability of microbes to utilize mucins and metabolize tryptophan is diminished in IBD patients. Our data suggest that stimulating IA production could promote anti-inflammatory responses and have therapeutic benefits.

Year of Publication
2017
Journal
Cell Host Microbe
Volume
22
Issue
1
Pages
25-37.e6
Date Published
2017 Jul 12
ISSN
1934-6069
DOI
10.1016/j.chom.2017.06.007
PubMed ID
28704649
PubMed Central ID
PMC5672633
Links
Grant list
P30 DK043351 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States