Proteus mirabilis exacerbates ulcerative colitis by inhibiting mucin production

作者：Zhihui Jiang, Pengpeng Li, Kehui Qiu, Yang Liao, Xin Chen, Ji Xuan, Fangyu Wang, Hui Ma, Ye Wang, Min‐Sheng Zhu · 发表于：Frontiers in Microbiology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fmicb.2025.1556953 · 被引用次数：7 · 研究领域：Gut microbiota and health、Probiotics and Fermented Foods、Helicobacter pylori-related gastroenterology studies

Introduction Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by chronic inflammation and ulceration in colonic mucosa, accompanied by a defective epithelial barrier. Proteus mirabilis ( P. mirabilis ) bacterium is a putative intestinal pathogen with invasive ability, yet its role in UC inflammation and gut barrier disruption is unclear. This study aims to investigate its epidemiological presence, pathogenic roles and preventive strategy during UC inflammation. Method P. mirabilis culture and PCR amplification of the P. mirabilis -specific ureR gene were used to detect fecal P. mirabilis and determine its prevalence in UC and control stool specimens. P. mirabilis isolated from UC stool specimens was gavaged into dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-treated mice. Inflammation and the mucus layer of colons were assessed through histological examination and cytokine quantification. Bacteriophages were screened and used to eliminate P. mirabilis in colitis animals. Results and discussion The fecal P. mirabilis bacteria were detected by PCR amplification of P. mirabilis -specific ureR gene. Of 41 UC patients, 65.9% patients were P. mirabilis positive, which was significantly higher than the controls. Administration of P. mirabilis aggravated DSS-induced colitis symptom and mucosal inflammation in mice. Interestingly, the colonic mucus layer, an essential component of the epithelial barrier, of the animals was dramatically disrupted, which was consistent with the alteration of human UC colon. The ...