Host-Derived Nitrate Boosts Growth of E. coli in the Inflamed Gut

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1232467
• Publication Date: 2013-02-07T19:02:41Z
• Authors: Sebastian E. Winter; Maria G. Winter; Mariana N. Xavier; Parameth Thiennimitr; Victor Poon; A. Marijke Keestra; Richard C. Laughlin; Gabriel Gomez; Jing Wu; Sara D. Lawhon; Ina E. Popova; Sanjai J. Parikh; L. Garry Adams; Renée M. Tsolis; Valley J. Stewart; Andreas J. Bäumler
• Keywords: Obligate; Obligate anaerobe

Changes in the microbial community structure are observed individuals with intestinal inflammatory disorders. These changes often characterized by a depletion of obligate anaerobic bacteria, whereas relative abundance facultative Enterobacteriaceae increases. The mechanisms which host response shapes structure, however, remain unknown. We show that nitrate generated as by-product conferred growth advantage to commensal bacterium Escherichia coli large intestine mice. Mice deficient inducible nitric oxide synthase did not support E. respiration, suggesting during inflammation was host-derived. Thus, selectively enhances generating electron acceptors for respiration.