biostudies-literatureMartz SLSEAMONIDDK NIH HHSNIAID NIH HHSNational Institutes of Health452-465https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5177537biostudies-literatureUnknown52(4)<h4>Background</h4>A defined Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutic (MET-1, or "RePOOPulate") derived from the feces of a healthy volunteer can cure recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) in humans. The mechanisms of action whereby healthy microbiota protect against rCDI remain unclear. Since C. difficile toxins are largely responsible for the disease pathology of CDI, we hypothesized that MET-1 exerts its protective effects by inhibiting the effects of these toxins on the host.<h4>Methods</h4>A combination of in vivo (antibiotic-associated mouse model of C. difficile colitis, mouse ileal loop model) and in vitro models (FITC-phalloidin staining, F actin Western blots and apoptosis assay in Caco2 cells, transepithelial electrical resistance measurements in T84 cells) were employed.<h4>Results</hJournal of gastroenterologyA human gut ecosystem protects against C. difficile disease by targeting TcdA.PMC5177537R01 DK105118R33 AI121575R21AI121575R21 AI121575Gloor GBWeese SClaud ECNoordhof CHe SMCarlucci CHurlbut DJGuzman-Rodriguez MAllen-Vercoe ESun JMartz SLPetrof EOfalseA human gut ecosystem protects against C. difficile disease by targeting TcdA.<h4>Background</h4>A defined Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutic (MET-1, or "RePOOPulate") derived from the feces of a healthy volunteer can cure recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) in humans. The mechanisms of action whereby healthy microbiota protect against rCDI remain unclear. Since C. difficile toxins are largely responsible for the disease pathology of CDI, we hypothesized that MET-1 exerts its protective effects by inhibiting the effects of these toxins on the host.<h4>Methods</h4>A combination of in vivo (antibiotic-associated mouse model of C. difficile colitis, mouse ileal loop model) and in vitro models (FITC-phalloidin staining, F actin Western blots and apoptosis assay in Caco2 cells, transepithelial electrical resistance measurements in T84 cells) were employed.<h4>Results</h2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Apr2025-04-19T00:00:03.972Z2019-03-26T23:22:02ZS-EPMC51775372732950210.1007/s00535-016-1232-y