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The Kobe University Human Intestinal Microbiota Model for gut intervention studies

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Abstract

The human gut harbors a complex microbial community that performs a range of metabolic, physiological, and immunological functions. The host and its inhabiting microorganisms are often referred to as a “superorganism.” Dysbiosis of gut microflora has been associated with the pathogenesis of intestinal disorders including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and extra-intestinal disorders such as cardiovascular disease. Therefore, gut microbiome interventions are important for the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, ethical, economic, scientific, and time constraints limit the outcome of human intervention or animal studies targeting gut microbiota. We recently developed an in vitro batch fermentation model (the Kobe University Human Intestinal Microbiota Model, KUHIMM) that is capable of hosting a majority of gut microbial species in humans and also detects the metabolites produced by microorganisms in real time. In this mini review, we elucidated the characteristics of the KUHIMM and its applicability in analyzing the effect of diet, drugs, probiotics, and prebiotics on intestinal bacteria. In addition, we introduce as examples its application to disease models, such as ulcerative colitis, in which intestinal bacteria are intricately involved in the process of pathogenesis. We also discuss the potential of the KUHIMM in precision medicine.

Key points

In vitro gut fermentation model to simulate human colonic microbiota

Screening of potential prebiotics and probiotic candidates in healthy model

Construction of disease models of ulcerative colitis and coronary artery disease

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Data Availability

All raw sequence data generated in this study have been deposited in MG-RAST as “Model Culture System of Human Colonic Microbiota_pH control” under the accession numbers mgm4921743.3–mgm4921745.3.

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Not applicable.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Ayami Fujino, Yasuko koura, Misa Yasuda, Miki Ishizaki, Yoko Sugita, and Kimiko Enda (Kobe University) for their assistance.

Funding

This study was partly funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (KAKENHI grant number 18K05487).

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

NH and KS conceived and designed research. JI and DS conducted experiments and analyzed data. NH and KS wrote the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kengo Sasaki.

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Ethics approval

Human subjects provided written informed consent prior to specimen collection. The study was performed in accordance with the guideline of Kobe University Hospital and was approved by the Institutional Ethics Review Board of Kobe University. All methods used in this study were in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Hoshi, N., Inoue, J., Sasaki, D. et al. The Kobe University Human Intestinal Microbiota Model for gut intervention studies. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 105, 2625–2632 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11217-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11217-x

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