Hyaluronan-induced alterations of the gut microbiome protects mice against Citrobacter rodentium infection and intestinal inflammation

Hyaluronan (HA) has proven to be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases. However, little is known about its effects on gut microbiota. Here, our data revealed that HA treatement resulted in significant changes in the gut microbiota composition. Then a murine colitis model was established by gavaging C. rodentium to determine the functional significance of the altered microbiota. Our results indicated that HA treatment protected against C. rodentium-induced intestinal inflammation. Microbiota transplantation experiments further confirmed the role of HA-induced alteration of the gut microbiome. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory role of HA in the modulation the gut microbiota composition and functionality in enteric infection and inflammation.