Antibiotic-Induced Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Damages the Intestinal Barrier, Increasing Food Allergy in Adult Mice

Abstract

(1) Background: The use of antibiotics affects the composition of gut microbiota. Studies have suggested that the colonization of gut microbiota in early life is related to later food allergies. Still, the relationship between altered intestinal microbiota in adulthood and food allergies is unclear. (2) Methods: We established three mouse models to analyze gut microbiota dysbiosis’ impact on the intestinal barrier and determine whether this effect can increase the susceptibility to and severity of food allergy in later life. (3) Results: The antibiotic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis significantly reduced Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, and Ruminococcaceae, and increased Enterococcaceae and Clostridiales. At the same time, the metabolic abundance was changed, including decreased short-chain fatty acids and tryptophan, as well as enhanced purine. This change is related to food allergies. After gut microbiota dysbiosis, we sensitized the mice. The content of specific IgE and IgG1 in mice serum was significantly increased, and the inflammatory response was enhanced. The dysbiosis of gut microbiota caused the sensitized mice to have more severe allergic symptoms, ruptured intestinal villi, and a decrease in tight junction proteins (TJs) when re-exposed to the allergen. (4) Conclusions: Antibiotic-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis increases the susceptibility and severity of food allergies. This event may be due to the increased intestinal permeability caused by decreased intestinal tight junction proteins and the increased inflammatory response.