Differential view on the bile acids stress response of Clostridioides difficile

In this study, we aimed at the characterization of C. difficile’s stress response to the main four human bile acids. Although, a phenotypically description of growth differences upon challenge with different bile acids has been described (Lewis 2016, Thanissery 2017), there is no information on the adaptation of gene expression available. We employed a comprehensive proteomics approach to record stress signatures of the unconjugated bile acids CA, CDCA, DCA and LCA in shock experiments as well as during long-term-stress conditions and could depict a general stress response concerning all four bile acids, but also specific responses to only a single or a few of the different bile acids. Our results are a starting point for the understanding of how the individual bile acids cocktail of a patient can decide on the outcome of a C. difficile infection.