F. prausnitzii induces an anti-inflammatory response and rewires energy metabolism in human monocytes in healthy and inflamed conditions, potentially explaining its beneficial impact on intestinal inflammation and human health in general.
Key Findings
Results
F. prausnitzii induced direct and dose-dependent IL-10 production specifically in CD14+ monocytes from systemic circulation.
IL-10 production was observed in CD14+ monocytes isolated from human blood
The response was dose-dependent upon stimulation with F. prausnitzii EXL01 strain
IL-10 induction was direct, not requiring intermediate cell signaling steps
This response was analyzed by LEGENDplex, ELISA, and flow cytometry
Results
F. prausnitzii did not induce a proinflammatory response in monocytes, in contrast to LPS stimulation.
Stimulation with F. prausnitzii EXL01 strain was compared directly to LPS stimulation
F. prausnitzii failed to induce the proinflammatory cytokine profile characteristic of LPS
The anti-inflammatory profile was distinct from the responses induced by Coprococcus comes 27758 and Escherichia coli MG1655
Results were confirmed across multiple analytical platforms including flow cytometry and RNA sequencing
Results
F. prausnitzii induced IL-10 production in CD14+ monocytes from intestinal lamina propria of both IBD patients and noninflamed controls.
Intestinal immune cells were isolated from lamina propria of IBD patients and noninflamed controls
CD14+ monocytes from intestinal tissue responded similarly to those from systemic circulation
The anti-inflammatory response was observed in both healthy and inflammatory conditions
This suggests F. prausnitzii's effects are relevant to the intestinal microenvironment in disease states
Results
RNA sequencing revealed that F. prausnitzii affects cellular energy metabolism in monocytes in a manner distinct from other tested bacteria and LPS.
Transcriptomic analysis was performed by RNA sequencing on stimulated monocytes
F. prausnitzii's metabolic reprogramming was distinct from that induced by Coprococcus comes 27758, Escherichia coli MG1655, and LPS
The metabolic reprogramming was observed in both healthy and inflammatory conditions
Seahorse technology was used to corroborate the RNA sequencing findings on cellular energy metabolism
Results
The anti-inflammatory response induced by F. prausnitzii in monocytes was dependent on mitochondrial respiration.
Seahorse technology was used to assess mitochondrial respiration in stimulated monocytes
Disruption of mitochondrial respiration abolished the anti-inflammatory response to F. prausnitzii
This finding provides a mechanistic link between metabolic reprogramming and the anti-inflammatory cytokine response
This represents the first mechanistic insight into how F. prausnitzii induces IL-10 in human monocytes
Background
F. prausnitzii is decreased in several pathologic conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, and has previously been linked to anti-inflammatory properties in human and mouse models.
F. prausnitzii is described as a highly abundant gut bacterium linked to overall health
Its reduction has been associated with IBD and other pathologic conditions
Prior work had established anti-inflammatory properties notably through induction of IL-10 signaling
The current study sought to identify which specific cell types are responsible for IL-10 production induced by F. prausnitzii
Danne C, de Oliveira Formiga R, Creusot L, Marquet F, Sedda D, Hua L, et al.. (2026). Faecalibacterium prausnitzii Induces an Anti-inflammatory Response and a Metabolic Reprogramming in Human Monocytes.. Gastroenterology. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2025.10.003