A research team led by Prof. Shi Yinghua from the College of Animal Science and Technology has published a paper in the international journal Microbiome.
Titled “Tryptophan metabolism mediated by the gut microbiota inhibits pyroptosis via the AhR signaling pathway to maintain intestinal epithelial homeostasis,” the study reveals how gut microbiota-mediated tryptophan metabolism helps maintain intestinal epithelial homeostasis in piglets by inhibiting pyroptosis through the AhR signaling pathway. The findings provide a new perspective for developing strategies to improve intestinal health and prevent inflammatory intestinal diseases in piglets.
The team found that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could effectively prevent LPS-induced colonic epithelial barrier damage and pyroptosis in piglets. Multi-omics analyses further showed that FMT reshaped the gut microbiota, significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri, and promoted the production of its tryptophan-derived metabolites. Further studies using Caco-2 cells, colonic organoids, and gene-knockout mice demonstrated that these metabolites act as ligands for AhR, suppress NLRP3 inflammasome transcription, and thereby reduce intestinal inflammation while promoting epithelial barrier repair.
The study is the first to confirm that targeting Lactobacillus reuteri and tryptophan metabolism is an effective strategy for inhibiting pyroptosis and improving intestinal barrier function in piglets. The findings may support future prevention and control of weaning stress syndrome and inflammatory intestinal diseases in pig production, while also contributing to reduced antibiotic use and more sustainable livestock development.
Liu Mengqi and Li Shouren, doctoral students of the forage and healthy farming research team, are co-first authors. Liu Boshuai and Prof. Shi Yinghua are co-corresponding authors.
