Gut commensals-derived succinate impels colonic inflammation in ulcerative colitis

Abstract Gut microbiota-derived metabolites play a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we identify gut microbiota-derived succinate as a driver of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) by activating succinate-responsive, colitoge...

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Main Authors: Rajdeep Dalal, Srikanth Sadhu, Aashima Batra, Sandeep Goswami, Jyotsna Dandotiya, Vinayakadas K. V, Rahul Yadav, Virendra Singh, Kartikey Chaturvedi, Rahul Kannan, Shakti Kumar, Yashwant Kumar, Deepak Kumar Rathore, Deepak B. Salunke, Vineet Ahuja, Amit Awasthi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-025-00672-3
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Summary:Abstract Gut microbiota-derived metabolites play a crucial role in modulating the inflammatory response in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we identify gut microbiota-derived succinate as a driver of inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC) by activating succinate-responsive, colitogenic helper T (Th) cells that secrete interleukin (IL)-9. We demonstrate that colitis is associated with an increase in succinate-producing gut bacteria and decrease in succinate-metabolizing gut bacteria. Similarly, UC patients exhibit elevated levels of succinate-producing gut bacteria and luminal succinate. Intestinal colonization by succinate-producing gut bacteria or increased succinate availability, exacerbates colonic inflammation by activating colitogenic Th9 cells. In contrast, intestinal colonization by succinate-metabolizing gut bacteria, blocking succinate receptor signaling with an antagonist, or neutralizing IL-9 with an anti-IL-9 antibody alleviates inflammation by reducing colitogenic Th9 cells. Our findings underscore the role of gut microbiota-derived succinate in driving colitogenic Th9 cells and suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating IBD.
ISSN:2055-5008