Limitation of amino acid availability by bacterial populations during enhanced colitis in IBD mouse model

Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with an increase in Enterobacteriaceae and <em>Enterococcus</em> species, however the mechanisms are unclear. Richie <em>et al</em>. show that these bacterial populations use sulfur metabolism and tolerate host-derived immune-response, to drive host inflammation and fuel growth in the dysbiotic colon. Cultured isolates from dysbiotic mice indicated faster growth supplemented with L-cysteine, showing these microbes can utilize these essential host nutrients.