Extended Data Fig. 5: Gut bacteria modulate colonic RORγ+ Treg cells via their BA metabolic pathways.
From: Microbial bile acid metabolites modulate gut RORγ+ regulatory T cell homeostasis
a, b, Each of four groups of GF mice was colonized with one of the following microorganisms: (1) a wild-type strain of B. thetaiotaomicron; (2) a BSH-mutant strain; (3) a 7α-HSDH-mutant strain; or (4) a triple-mutant (TKO) strain. Colonic Treg cells were analysed after 2 weeks. Absolute numbers of RORγ+Helios− in the colonic FOXP3+CD4+TCRβ+ Treg cell population (a) and of FOXP3+ Treg cells in the CD4+TCRβ+ population (b) are shown. c, d, Each of four groups of GF mice was colonized with one of the following microorganisms: (1) a wild-type strain of B. fragilis; (2) a BSH-KO strain; (3) a 7α-HSDH-KO strain; or (4) a double-mutant (DKO) strain. Absolute numbers of colonic Treg cells are shown as in a and b. e, f, GF mice were colonized with B. thetaiotaomicron BA metabolic pathway mutants or their wild-type control strains. Colonic Treg cells and TH17 cells were analysed after 2 weeks. Frequencies of FOXP3+ in the CD4+TCRβ+ cell population (e) or RORγ+FOXP3− in the CD4+TCRβ+ cell population (f) are shown. g, h, GF mice were colonized with B. fragilis BA metabolic pathway mutants or their wild-type control strains. Frequencies of colonic Treg cells and TH17 cells are shown as in e and f. i, j, GF mice were colonized with B. thetaiotaomicron BA metabolic pathway mutants or their wild-type control strains. Treg cells and TH17 cells in the spleen, mesenteric lymph node and ileum were analysed after 2 weeks. Frequencies of RORγ+Helios− in the FOXP3+CD4+TCRβ+ Treg cell population (i) and RORγ+FOXP3− in the CD4+TCRβ+ cell population (j) are shown. k, l, GF mice were colonized with B. fragilis BA metabolic pathway mutants or their wild-type control strains. Frequencies of Treg cells and TH17 cells in the spleen, mesenteric lymph node and ileum are shown as in i and j. Data are pooled from two or three independent experiments. n represents biologically independent animals. Data are mean ± s.e.m. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, one-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test.
