Cited by 405Gut microbiota and healthBacterial biofilms and quorum sensingGastrointestinal motility and disorders

Commensal bacteria-dependent indole production enhances epithelial barrier function in the colon

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Shimada, Yosuke, Kinoshita, Makoto, Harada, Kazuo, Mizutani, Masafumi, Masahata, Kazunori, Kayama, Hisako, Takeda, Kiyoshi·2013·PLoS ONE

Abstract

Microbiota have been shown to have a great influence on functions of intestinal epithelial cells (ECs). The role of indole as a quorum-sensing (QS) molecule mediating intercellular signals in bacteria has been well appreciated. However, it remains unknown whether indole has beneficial effects on maintaining intestinal barriers in vivo. In this study, we analyzed the effect of indole on ECs using a germ free (GF) mouse model. GF mice showed decreased expression of junctional complex molecules in colonic ECs. The feces of specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice contained a high amount of indole; however the amount was significantly decreased in the feces of GF mice by 27-fold. Oral administration of indole-containing capsules resulted in increased expression of both tight junction (TJ)- and adherens junction (AJ)-associated molecules in colonic ECs in GF mice. In accordance with the increased expression of these junctional complex molecules, GF mice given indole-containing capsules showed higher resistance to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. A similar protective effect of indole on DSS-induced epithelial damage was also observed in mice bred in SPF conditions. These findings highlight the beneficial role of indole in establishing an epithelial barrier in vivo.

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Crossref · 10.1371/journal.pone.0080604

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  • Supplementation of indole capsules restored gut barrier integrity by elevating junctional protein expression in germ-free mice.

    “Importantly, supplementation of indole capsules restored gut barrier integrity by elevating junctional protein expression in GF mice.90”
  • Indole levels in fecal samples of germ-free mice were 27-fold lower compared with conventionally raised mice.

    “It was reported that indole levels in fecal samples of germ-free (GF) mice were 27-fold lower compared with conventionally raised mice.90”
  • Tight junction and adherens junction proteins (Cldn7, Ocln, ZO-1, E-cadherin 1) are significantly decreased in germ-free mice compared with conventionally raised mice.

    “TJ and AJ proteins (Cldn7, Ocln, ZO-1, E-cadherin 1) are significantly decreased in GF mice compared with conventionally raised mice.90”

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Authors
Shimada, Y., Kinoshita, M., Harada, K., Mizutani, M., Masahata, K., Kayama, H., & Takeda, K.
Affiliations
  • Immunology Frontier Research Center, The University of Osaka (JP)
  • Japan Science and Technology Agency (JP)
  • The University of Osaka (JP)
  • Morishita Jintan (Japan) (JP)
Corresponding author
Takeda, Kiyoshi
Venue
PLoS ONE
Published
2013-11-20
Volume
8
Issue
11
Pages
e80604
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2040501063
Cited by
404
References
41
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 43 · 2024: 50 · 2023: 53 · 2022: 44 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 6
FWCI
5.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
  • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (24390120)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
Keywords
indole, commensal bacteria, intestinal epithelial barrier, tight junctions, adherens junctions, quorum sensing, germ-free mice, DSS-induced colitis, colonic epithelial cells, gut microbiota, epithelial permeability
MeSH terms
Animals, Bacteria, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Colon, Germ-Free Life, Indoles, Intestinal Mucosa, Mice, Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

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