Abstract
Intestinal permeability to translocation of bacterial products is increased in cirrhosis. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) remain central to the interplay between the host and microbial milieu. We propose that Tregs are involved in promoting gut barrier integrity and a balanced interaction with gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Carbon tetrachloride cirrhosis was induced in wild-type and recombination activating gene 1 (Rag1)(-/-) mice. Naive T cells and Treg cells were transferred into Rag1 (-/-) mice. Intestinal permeability was assessed in vivo after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) oral administration, and bacterial DNA presence was evaluated in mesenteric lymph nodes. Transcript and protein levels of tight-junction (TJ) proteins were measured in colonic tissue. Intestinal T helper profile in response to Escherichia coli (E. coli) was determined by flow cytometry. SCFAs were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in colonic content before and after E. coli challenge. Rag1 (-/-) mice showed significantly increased permeability to LPS and bacterial DNA translocation rate compared with control mice. Naive T and Treg cotransfer significantly reduced gut permeability to bacterial antigen translocation and restored TJ protein expression in Rag1 (-/-) mice. Naive T and Treg replenishment in Rag1 (-/-) mice restrained proinflammatory differentiation of intestinal lymphocytes in response to E. coli. The main SCFA concentration resulted in significant reduction in Rag1 (-/-) mice after E. coli administration but remained unaltered after naive T and Tregs cotransfer. The reduced expression of SCFA receptors induced by E. coli was reestablished following naive T and Treg reconstitution in Rag1 (-/-) mice. Conclusion: The restriction of gut permeability, local inflammatory differentiation, and loss of bacteria-derived SCFAs foster the value of Tregs in preventing bacterial translocation in cirrhosis.