Intestinal inflammation can have a significant impact on the health of an individual, and new research has shed light on the role that bacteria play in this process. A study led by Prof. Naama Geva-Zatorski at the Faculty of Medicine found that during intestinal inflammation, genes in bacteria undergo changes that cause segments of their DNA to reverse. This leads to alterations in gene expression that impact the production of molecules and proteins.
The researchers focused on the bacterium Bacteroides fragilis, which secretes polysaccharide molecules called Polysaccharide A (PSA) that can influence the immune system by activating regulatory T cells known as Tregs. The study discovered a connection between DNA inversions in these bacteria and bacteriophages – viruses that infect and kill bacteria in the intestines. These bacteriophages were found to alter the behavior of the bacteria, ultimately impacting the immune response.
Bacteriophages caused bacteria to reduce the production of PSA molecules, influencing the activity of Treg cells in the immune system. After analyzing data from over 2,000 individuals with and without intestinal diseases, the researchers concluded that bacteria adapt and change how they affect the immune system when intestinal conditions are abnormal. This study provides insights into how bacteria contribute to intestinal inflammation and opens up possibilities for innovative treatments targeting the gut microbiota. Further research will explore how living conditions in the human body influence bacterial activity and their implications for health.
