Cell Host & Microbe
Volume 22, Issue 1, 12 July 2017, Pages 25-37.e6
Journal home page for Cell Host & Microbe

Article
Indoleacrylic Acid Produced by Commensal Peptostreptococcus Species Suppresses Inflammation

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2017.06.007Get rights and content
Under an Elsevier user license
open archive

Highlights

  • Computational analysis identifies Peptostreptococcus russellii as a mucin utilizer

  • Peptostreptococcus species produce the tryptophan metabolite indoleacrylic acid (IA)

  • IA promotes intestinal epithelial barrier function and mitigates inflammatory responses

  • Microbes of IBD patients have reduced ability to cleave mucins and metabolize tryptophan

Summary

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.

Keywords

mucus
indoleacrylic acid
Peptostreptococcus
organoid
Muc2
indolepropionic acid

Cited by (0)

7

Lead Contact