In a study published in Gut Microbes, researchers from the ProbiHôte team have shown that bacteria of the genus Sutterella, which are commonly found in the human gut microbiota, can exacerbate intestinal inflammation by disrupting a key pathway that protects the intestinal mucosa.
The study reveals that these bacteria inhibit activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a central regulator of intestinal immune responses, thereby reducing the production of interleukin-22 (IL-22), a cytokine essential for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Analysis of a cohort of patients with Crohn’s disease further showed that Sutterella was more abundant in patients with active inflammatory flares.
These results shed light on a previously unknown mechanism linking the gut microbiota to intestinal immune function and open up new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the AhR/IL-22 signaling pathway to preserve the homeostasis of the intestinal mucosa.
Contact:
Links:
