Role of Bacteroides <i>acidifaciens</i>in gut inflammation during colitis

Abstract Colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the colon with significant disease-associated alterations in gut microbiome, a term known as microbial dysbiosis. IBDs, are becoming more prevalent industrialized areas, impacting over 1.6 million Americans. Our lab has previously shown that mouse models colitis, Bacteroides acidifaciens (BA) significantly increases abundance during disease. In fact, severity directly correlates increase this microbe. BA obligately anaerobic, non-sporing, non-motile, gram-negative rods. This bacterium can degrade protective mucus and properties linked to inflammation, such enhancing immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses producing short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) acetic acid. study investigates effects overgrowth mice colitis well germ-free (GF) access ability microbe induce or enhance symptoms. was induced administering 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model. Results showed compared controls, conventional C57BL/6 inoculated high dose via oral gavage had severe These lost 20% their initial body weight, colons were shorter, displayed ulcers, redness, mucosal crystallization, suggesting exacerbated symptoms DSS-induced colitis. Introducing into GF resulted colitis-like phenotype reduction weight-loss lengths. From data, we deduced may have potential if reaches pathogenic levels. Supported NIH grant (5P20GM103641)