Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has complex genetic and environmental aspects, and free fatty acid receptors (FFARs) may bridge genetic and dietary aspects. FFAR4 is highly expressed in the intestine and acts primarily as the receptor of long-chain fatty acids, which are major components of the human diet. It is unclear what role, if any, FFAR4 may play in IBD.
Methods
Mouse and human colitis samples, mice with complete FFAR4 knockout, intestine-specific FFAR4 knockout and FFAR4 overexpression and cell culture were used. RNA-sequencing analysis and flow cytometry were performed to examine the mechanisms. Findings: The