Periodic Reporting for period 1 - miR-IBD (Fecal miRNAs, new mediators of host-microbiota interaction in Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2019-10-01 do 2021-09-30
Various approaches were used to achieve our project, including the use of mouse models, exploitation of human stool samples, and the use of in vivo and in vitro/ex vivo systems to study either the host or the microbiota independently.
Overall, this project allowed to identify a crosstalk between gut miRNAs, the microbiota and intestinal inflammation. This improved understanding of the interactions between the microbiota and miRNAs could suggest new approaches for manipulating microbiota toward being inherently less harmful when the host-microbiota relationship is perturbed such as in IBD and could clearly benefit future efforts to treat IBD.
Objective 1: Determine the role played by the intestinal microbiota in miRNA-mediated modulation of intestinal inflammation.
Objective 2: Investigate the ability of specific miRNAs / anti-miRNAs to modulate intestinal inflammation.
Objective 3: Identify whether fecal miRNAs are indicators of microbiota and intestinal healthiness in IBD patients.
WP1 comprised ethical considerations that we have complied with. WP2-4 involved setting up the tools for completion of the first objective, performing the experiment, collecting and analyzing data. The experiments were in part performed by two Master 2 students and a post-doctoral fellow that I supervise(d). WP5-6 consisted in the investigation of the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNA in IBD. In WP7-10, miRNA and microbiota were together analyzed in stool samples from IBD patients. WP11-15 involved management of the project, impact on the career of the fellow including securing a tenure position, dissemination and communication.
Overall, the objectives were reached and we have demonstrated direct interaction of miRNA on the microbiota, and the therapeutic potential of targeting miRNA. The relevance of our finding was validated in IBD patients.
Here is a summary of the work completed during the award period: Animal ethics authorization, Collection of stool samples from patients, Funding applications completed or in progress, Student and postdoctoral supervision (Master, postdoctoral supervision), Experiments completed and follow-up experiments initiated, Poster and oral communication at local seminars, national and international conferences, Publication: review and original research articles published or in writing, editorial.
Overall, results obtained during the award period will be i) directly exploited, compiled and published as an original research article, ii) exploited as the basis of follow-up studies iii) used as the foundations of a line of research from which further research project will be built.