IBD and Reduced TGR5 Activation
A recent study indicates that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exhibit reduced activation of the TGR5 receptor due to altered bile acid profiles. This metabolic change, linked to gut microbiota composition, appears to impair immune tolerance and exacerbate inflammation.
Why it matters
Understanding the link between gut bacteria, bile acids, and immune regulation could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating chronic inflammatory conditions.
INFLAMMATORY bowel disease ( IBD ) was associated with reduced activation of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), with investigators reporting that altered bile acid profiles correlated with greater inflammatory activity.
The gut microbiota communicates with the host through small metabolites, including bile acids. Primary bile acids are synthesised by the host before being secreted into the intestine, where the gut microbiota converts them into secondary bile acids. Depending on the composition of these bile acids, Takeda G protein coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is activated and contributes to immune tolerance.
Investigators examined whether bile acid induced TGR5 activation differed between healthy individuals and patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Stool and plasma bile acid profiles were quantified using mass spectrometry, while TGR5 bioactivity was assessed from these profiles. Metagenomic sequencing was also performed on faecal samples to evaluate microbial composition.
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