Kaestner
Pack
(Ed.)
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is the world’s most consumed probiotic species but its mechanism of action on intestinal permeability and differentiation as well as its interactions with an essential source of signaling metabolites, dietary tryptophan, are incompletely studied. METHODS: Untargeted metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis were performed for LGG mono-colonized germ-free (GF) mice fed with tryptophan (trp)-free or -sufficient diets. LGG-derived metabolites were profiled in vitro under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Multiomic correlations were performed using a newly developed metabolome-transcriptome correlating bioinformatic algorism. Newly uncovered gut barrier-modulating metabolites whose abundances are regulated by LGG and dietary trp were functionally tested in Trans-Epithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) assay, mouse enteroid, and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) experimental colitis. The contribution of trp-methylnicotinamide (MNA) pathway to barrier protection is delineated at specific tight junction (TJ) proteins and enterocyte-promoting factors with gain and loss of function approaches. RESULTS: LGG, strictly in the presence of dietary trp, promotes the enterocyte program and the expression of multiple TJ genes, particularly Ocln. Fecal and serum metabolites that are synergistically stimulated by LGG and dietary trp are identified. Functional evaluations revealed a novel LGG-stimulated trp-dependent Vitamin B3 metabolism pathway, with MNA unexpectedly being the most robust barrier-protective metabolite in vitro and in vivo. Reduced serum MNA is significantly associated with increased disease activity in IBD patients. Exogenous MNA enhances gut barrier in homeostasis and robustly promotes colonic healing in DSS colitis. MNA is sufficient to promote intestinal epithelial Ocln and RNF43, a master inhibitor of Wnt pathway. Blocking trp or Vitamin B3 absorption abolishes barrier recovery in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study uncovers a novel LGG-regulated dietary trp-dependent production of MNA that protects gut barrier against colitis.
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