Anti-inflammatory properties of butyrate-producing atypical Escherichia coli in a murine colitis model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic refractory intestinal inflammatory disorder and its pathogenesis is related with several factors including genetic, environmental, microbiota, and immune response, but remains largely unknown. In recent decades, gut microbiota composition and function have become a relevant aspect of IBD pathogenesis and expected promising therapeutic options including probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation.^1-3 Yoon et al.⁴ found a novel commensal Escherichia coli strain named atypical E. coli (atEc), which demonstrated anti-inflammatory effect because of 1 additional catalase gene compared to typical E. coli.^3,4 Also, the short-chain fatty acids produced by gut microbiota, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are expected to maintain intestinal homeostasis.^5,6