Antibiotics damage the colonic mucus barrier in a microbiota-independent manner

Jasmin Sawaed, Lilach Zelik, Yehonatan Levin, Rachel Feeney, Maria Naama, Ateret Gordon, Mor Zigdon, Elad Rubin, Shahar Telpaz, Sonia Modilevsky, Shira Ben-Simon, Aya Awad, Sarina Harshuk-Shabso, Meital Nuriel-Ohayon, Michal Werbner, Bjoern O. Schroeder, Amir Erez, Shai Bel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Antibiotic use is a risk factor for development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). IBDs are characterized by a damaged mucus layer, which does not separate the intestinal epithelium from the microbiota. Here, we hypothesized that antibiotics affect the integrity of the mucus barrier, which allows bacterial penetrance and predisposes to intestinal inflammation. We found that antibiotic treatment led to breakdown of the colonic mucus barrier and penetration of bacteria into the mucus layer. Using fecal microbiota transplant, RNA sequencing followed by machine learning, ex vivo mucus secretion measurements, and antibiotic treatment of germ-free mice, we determined that antibiotics induce endoplasmic reticulum stress in the colon that inhibits colonic mucus secretion in a microbiota-independent manner. This antibiotic-induced mucus secretion flaw led to penetration of bacteria into the colonic mucus layer, translocation of microbial antigens into circulation, and exacerbation of ulcerations in a mouse model of IBD. Thus, antibiotic use might predispose to intestinal inflammation by impeding mucus production.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbereadp4119
JournalScience Advances
Volume10
Issue number37
DOIs
StatePublished - 13 Sep 2024

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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