title: Monocolonization of germ-free mice with Bacteroides fragilis protects against dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis.
abstract: Ulcerative colitis is inflammatory conditions of the colon caused by interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Previous studies indicated that the gut microflora may be involved in the colonic inflammation. Bacteroides fragilis (BF) is a Gram-negative anaerobe belonging to the colonic symbiotic. We aimed to investigate the protective role of BF in a colitis model induced in germ-free (GF) mice by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). GF C57BL/6JNarl mice were colonized with BF for 28 days before acute colitis was induced by DSS. BF colonization significantly increased animal survival by 40%, with less reduction in colon length, and decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells (macrophages and neutrophils) in colon mucosa following challenge with DSS. In addition, BF could enhance the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory-related cytokine such as interleukin 10 (IL-10) with polymorphism cytokine IL-17 and diminish that of proinflammatory-related tumor necrosis factor α with inducible nitric oxide synthase in the ulcerated colon. Myeloperoxidase activity was also decreased in BF-DSS mice. Taking these together, the BF colonization significantly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis by suppressing the activity of inflammatory-related molecules and inducing the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines. BF may play an important role in maintaining intestinal immune system homeostasis and regulate inflammatory responses.
authors: Graduate Institute of Sports Science, National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan.
authors: Chien-Chao
authors: 0000-0002-4106-2748
authors: CC
authors: Chiu
authors: Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
authors: Yung-Hao
authors: 0000-0002-5767-6701
authors: YH
authors: Ching
authors: Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.
authors: Yu-Chih
authors: 0000-0003-0144-1388
authors: YC
authors: Wang
authors: National Applied Research Laboratories, National Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei 115, Taiwan ; Department of Microbiology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
authors: Ju-Yun
authors: JY
authors: Liu
authors: National Applied Research Laboratories, National Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
authors: Yen-Peng
authors: YP
authors: Li
authors: National Applied Research Laboratories, National Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
authors: Yen-Te
authors: YT
authors: Huang
authors: National Applied Research Laboratories, National Laboratory Animal Center, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
authors: Hsiao-Li
authors: HL
authors: Chuang
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000254:growth & development*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D003092:Colitis / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D016264:Dextran Sulfate; D009195:Peroxidase