Cited by 610Gut microbiota and healthGastrointestinal motility and disordersAnimal Nutrition and Physiology

Mouse Microbiota Models: Comparing Germ-Free Mice and Antibiotics Treatment as Tools for Modifying Gut Bacteria

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Kennedy, Elizabeth A., King, Katherine Y., Baldridge, Megan T.·2018·Frontiers in Physiology

Abstract

As the intestinal microbiota has become better appreciated as necessary for maintenance of physiologic homeostasis and also as a modulator of disease processes, there has been a corresponding increase in manipulation of the microbiota in mouse models. While germ-free mouse models are generally considered to be the gold standard for studies of the microbiota, many investigators turn to antibiotics treatment models as a rapid, inexpensive, and accessible alternative. Here we describe and compare these two approaches, detailing advantages and disadvantages to both. Further, we detail what is known about the effects of antibiotics treatment on cell populations, cytokines, and organs, and clarify how this compares to germ-free models. Finally, we briefly describe recent findings regarding microbiota regulation of infectious diseases and other immunologic challenges by the microbiota, and highlight important future directions and considerations for the use of antibiotics treatment in manipulation of the microbiota.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fphys.2018.01534

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  • Germ-free mice allow experimentation in mammals with either no pre-existing microbiome or a highly defined microbial background.

    “A major advancement in this domain has been the development of germ‐free mice—animals bred, fed, and raised under sterile conditions—which offer a useful tool for studying the microbiome.46 First conceptualized by Louis Pasteur in 1885 but with uses only fully appreciated in recent decades, this approach allows experimentation in mammals with either no pre‐existing microbiome or a highly defined”

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Authors
Kennedy, E. A., King, K. Y., & Baldridge, M. T.
Affiliations
  • Washington University in St. Louis (US)
  • Baylor College of Medicine (US)
Corresponding author
Baldridge, Megan T.
Venue
Frontiers in Physiology
Published
2018-10-31
Volume
9
Pages
1534-1534
ISSN
1664-042X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2899391538
Cited by
602
References
126
Citations by year
2026: 65 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 91 · 2023: 78 · 2022: 100 · 2021: 83 · 2020: 80 · 2019: 25
FWCI
4.61
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Frontiers in Physiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Commons@Becker (Washington University School of Medicine) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
National Institutes of Health
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Animal Science and Zoology › Animal Nutrition and Physiology
Keywords
gut microbiota, germ-free mice, antibiotic therapy, microbiome manipulation, mouse model, cytokines

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