Conjugated linoleic acid derived from the intestinal flora of Min pigs mediates resistance to PEDV infection in piglets

While gut microbiota are essential for host health regulation, the impact of microbiota-host interactions on disease resistance phenotypes is not yet fully understood. We explore the link between gut microbiota and disease resistance in Min piglets using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), 16S rDNA sequencing, and untargeted metabolomics. This study identified that disease resistance in Min pigs was directly associated with gut microbiota. A multi-omics analysis identified differential cecal microbiota, specifically Lactobacillus, and metabolites associated with riboflavin metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways following ABX treatment. Study further proved in vitro that Lactobacillus plantarum can convert linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA influences Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection by interacting with fatty acid binding protein 6 (FABP6) and the PEDV S protein, leading to increased expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), which enhances antiviral responses and mitigates ileum microstructural damage. These results demonstrate a cause-and-effect link between gut bacteria and disease resistance traits, indicating that improving intestinal health might be possible by focusing on gut microbiota and fatty acid metabolism.