Faecalibacterium prausnitzii induces an anti-inflammatory response and a metabolic reprogramming in human monocytes

We isolated immune cells from human blood of patients with IBD and non-inflamed controls. We stimulated them with F. prausnitzii EXL01 strain, Cadaverin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli and performed Legendplex, ELISA, flow cytometry, RNA-sequencing (RNAseq), and Seahorse analysis. F. prausnitzii EXL01 strain induced the production of IL-10 in CD14+ monocytes from systemic circulation and intestinal tissue of IBD patients and non-inflamed controls in a direct and dose-dependent manner, without inducing a pro-inflammatory response as compared to LPS stimulation. RNAseq analysis confirmed these results and revealed that F. prausnitzii EXL01 strain differentially affects cell energy metabolism compared to LPS. The anti-inflammatory response induced by F. prausnitzii in monocytes was dependent on mitochondrial activity. F. prausnitzii induces an anti-inflammatory response and rewires energy metabolism in human monocytes, which might explain its beneficial impact on intestinal inflammation and human health in general. These results provide new insight into the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of F. prausnitzii and are crucial for a better understanding of its potential use in the treatment of IBD.