Impact Of The Gut Microbiota On Host Cells Energy Metabolism: Role In Health And In Inflammatory bowel disease

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are immune-related disorders characterized by inappropriate gut inflammation. Their incidence has increased dramatically in Western countries in recent decades, supporting a role for environmental factors.

Current Challenges

Despite the development of new treatments, IBD are insufficiently controlled in a large proportion of patients, inducing an alteration in quality of life and a socioeconomic burden. A better understanding of the pathogenesis and identification of new therapeutic targets are therefore urgently needed.

Role of Gut Microbiota

In this context, the gut microbiota has been recognized as a strong actor in IBD. Additionally, an alteration in intestinal and immune cell energy metabolism has been suggested in the pathogenesis.

Host-Microbe Interactions

Classical host-microbe interaction concepts rely on:

• The recognition of conserved microbial motifs by innate immunity sensors
• The action of microbial molecules on a host cell receptor

However, energy metabolism plays a crucial role in mounting the appropriate cellular response, and emerging data indicate that the gut microbiota may directly affect it.

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that the altered gut microbiota in IBD contributes to the impairment of host cell energy metabolism and pathogenesis.

Aims of ENERGISED

The aims of ENERGISED are to:

1. Identify the microorganisms and microbiota-derived metabolites impacting host cell energy metabolism and the mechanisms involved.
2. Decipher the consequences of gut microbiota alterations on host cell energy metabolism in IBD.
3. Design new microbiota-based therapeutic strategies to manipulate the host cell energy state in IBD.

Project Scope

This challenging project involves multidisciplinary aspects from microbiology to immunology, metabolism, and medicine; the use of multiple cutting-edge technologies; and translational analysis from mice to humans.

Societal Impact

In addition to its scientific importance, it will have societal impacts due to the identification of new therapeutic strategies.