Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome mitigates colitis <i>via</i> the modulation of the gut metagenomics–metabolomics–farnesoid X receptor axis

Abstract

16S rRNA gene sequencing and UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS respectively. Results showed that MSC-Ex mitigated colitis by significantly relieving the macroscopic and microscopic features of inflammation, modulating the gut metagenomics and metabolomics profile, and increasing colonic FXR. MSC-Ex improved the gut microbiota composition by significantly restoring the structure of OTUs and colitis-induced reduction in α-diversity, increasing the abundance of 'healthy' bacteria, decreasing disease-associated bacteria, decreasing detrimental functions, and enhancing other vital cellular functions. For the first time, we demonstrate that MSC-Ex mitigates colitis in mice by modulating the gut metagenomics-metabolomics-FXR axis, thus providing potential therapeutic targets.