Australian researchers have uncovered clues in the immune system that reveal how the balance of ‘good’ gut bacteria is maintained. The information could help in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, showed that the increased presence of a protein responsible for sensing infection—called NLRP1—meant there were fewer good bacteria and anti-inflammatory molecules in the gut, leading to higher levels of inflammation and an increased risk of IBD.

The research was led by Associate Professor Seth Masters, Dr. Tracy Putoczki, and Dr. Alan Yu from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, in collaboration with researchers at University of Melbourne’s Bio21 Institute in Melbourne and a team led by Dr. Graham Radford-Smith from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland.

Getting to the bottom of IBD

The cause of IBD, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is not well understood. A better understanding could improve treatment options and the quality of life for patients, who often experience chronic and debilitating symptoms.

Associate Professor Masters said while it was known that the immune system could defend the gut from bad bacteria, its role in maintaining ‘good’ bacteria wasn’t appreciated until now.

“We have uncovered the immune system’s ability to regulate good gut bacteria through the immune sensor NLRP1. Good bacteria are important because they help to produce butyrate—a molecule that dampens inflammation in the body. So understanding how the balance of good bacteria is maintained could one day help to inform preventions and treatments for inflammatory diseases like IBD,” he said.

Clues to a cause

Associate Professor Masters said the researchers had discovered the significance of NLRP1 by analyzing donated bowel biopsies from patients with IBD, as well as in pre-clinical models in the laboratory.

“We consistently observed that higher levels of NLRP1 in inflamed areas of the bowel correlated with lower levels of good bacteria and increased inflammation,” he said. “And in cases where we genetically deleted NLRP1, levels of inflammation went down.

“Too much NLRP1 leads to an overproduction of a signaling molecule called IL-18 that tells the body to mount a protective response against the threat of colonization by bad bacteria—but as a consequence the good bacteria and their anti-inflammatory products are also lost. Inflammation occurs as part of this process so when too much IL-18 is produced, inflammation can continue unchecked and cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract,” he said.

Keeping a healthy balance

The exact triggers for the increase in NLRP1 were unclear, but Associate Professor Masters said the new findings enabled researchers to continue along a promising track towards resolving such questions.

“While we don’t know exactly what the genetic, microbial, or environmental triggers for NLRP1 are, it is clear that faulty regulation of NLRP1 is an underlying cause of IBD.

“Following on from the clues in our study, it may be possible to develop a drug that inhibits IL-18 or targets NLRP1 to block any unchecked inflammation. It’s all about helping the immune system keep up the balancing act between all the factors that are constantly interacting to fight disease and promote well-being.”

“By stopping overproduction of NLRP1 or IL-18 in patients with IBD we may be able boost the number of good bacteria and anti-inflammatory properties in the gut and help to prevent or fight the damaging effects of too much inflammation,” he said.