Fusobacterium nucleatum enhances enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis-mediated neuron loss and intestinal motility dysfunction.

Fusobacterium nucleatum amplifies Bacteroides fragilis-induced neuron loss and gut dysmotility in mice, with a 2-hydroxybutyric acid-mediated mechanism.

• Why it matters: Understanding how gut bacteria interact to influence intestinal motility is crucial for addressing long-term gastrointestinal disorders and related diseases.
• What they did: Using mouse colonization models, the study examined the effects of ETBF and F. nucleatum, analyzing neuron apoptosis pathways, bacterial abundance correlations in human cohorts, and the impact of bacterial metabolites on neurotoxicity and motility.
• The result: F. nucleatum enhances BFT production, aggravates neurotoxicity and dysmotility, and increases colitis susceptibility, while a probiotic can mitigate neuron toxicity and improve intestinal function.