Improvement of human faecal flora-associated mouse model for evaluation of the functional foods

AIMS: Animal models are required for evaluation of the functional foods such as pro/prebiotics exerting effects through the metabolism of the intestinal microflora. The object of this study was to establish new human flora-associated mice reflecting the environment of the human intestinal tract. METHODS AND RESULTS: We inoculated a human faecal suspension into segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) monoassociated mice as a model system. In both human flora (HF) and SFB-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), intestinal characteristics such as the composition of intraepithelial lymphocytes, the expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules and the number of immunoglobulin A-producing cells in the mucosa was closer to those of conventionally reared mice than was case with human flora-associated mice (HF mice) lacking SFB. Several predominant bacterial groups except lactobacilli in human flora were found in faeces of HF-SFB mice. Lactobacilli established small populations in the gut of HF-SFB mice when administered before inoculation with the human flora. Faecal enzymatic activities and organic acid concentration of HF-SFB mice proportionally reflected those of the donor subject. CONCLUSION: We established a new human flora-associated mouse (HF-SFB mouse), in which intestinal characteristics are normally developed and their major microbial composition reflect the human. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: HF-SFB mice are a valuable model for studying pro/prebiotic effects on the human intestine.