Impact of age and EP4 on the gut microbiome in intestinal inflammation

Ageing is linked to increased pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and host immune function dysregulation. This study investigates how the PGE2 receptor, EP4, and ageing affect the small intestinal microbiota during gut inflammation. In the first experiment, young wild-type C57BL/6 mice received anti-CD3 antibody or IgG control through intraperitoneal injection, with or without an EP4 receptor antagonist, L-161,982. In the second experiment, young and middle-aged wild-type mice were injected with an anti-CD3 antibody. Ileal contents were collected at 3 days after anti-CD3 injection, followed by genomic DNA isolation and shotgun sequencing.