Comparisons of gut microbiota profiles in wild type and gelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase-9 deficient mice in acute dextran sodium sulphate/DSS-induced colitis

Gut microbiota help to educate the immune system and a number of involved immune cells have recently been characterized. However, specific molecular determinants in these processes are not known and, reciprocally, little information exists about single host determinants that alter the microbiota. Gelatinase B/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an innate immune regulator and effector, has been suggested as such a host determinant.