Gut-on-a-Chip Provides Insight into Microbiome & Intestinal Inflammation

When they performed gene expression profiling, they found that the human intestinal epithelial cells undergo numerous inflammatory changes when they are challenged by the combination of LPS and immune cells. Specifically, they saw upregulation of histamine receptors HRH1, HRH2 and HRH3, as well as leukotriene B4 receptors LTB4R and LTB4R2.

The investigators then used their model to examine the role of probiotics in inflammation. They found that the therapeutic probiotic formulation (VSL#3) protects against enteroinvasive Escherichia coli and subsequent gut injury.

Lara C. Pullen, PhD, is a medical writer based in the Chicago area.

Reference

1. Kim HJ, Li H, Collins JJ, et al. Contributions of microbiome and mechanical deformation to intestinal bacterial overgrowth and inflammation in a human gut-on-a-chip. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2016 Jan 5;113(1):E7–E15. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1522193112. Epub 2015 Dec 14.