Diet prevents the expansion of segmented filamentous bacteria and ileo-colonic inflammation in a model of Crohn’s disease

Abstract

We identified a novel pathogenic role of SFB in driving severe CD-like ileo-colonic inflammation characterized by loss of Paneth and goblet cell functions in Tnf ^ΔARE mice. A purified diet antagonized SFB colonization and prevented disease development in Tnf ^ΔARE mice in contrast to a fiber-containing chow diet, clearly demonstrating the important role of diet in modulating a novel IBD-relevant pathobiont and supporting a direct link between diet and microbial communities in mediating protective functions. Video Abstract.