TSP50 deficiency in neural stem cells aggravates colitis in mice by altering intestinal microbiome

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disease characterized by persistent chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and periodic episodes. Despite the increasing number of related studies, the detailed pathogenesis of IBD has not been elucidated. In recent years, host-microbiota interactions in the pathogenesis of IBD have received extensive attention. Testes-specific protease 50 (TSP50) is a potential risk gene for IBD, but whether it can affect the susceptibility of colitis by regulating the gut microbiome is still unclear. Here, we showed that TSP50 deficiency in neural stem cells (NSCs) aggravated colitis in mice by altering intestinal microbiome. Mechanistically, TSP50 maintained the level of neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) by degrading acetylcholinesterase (AChE), thereby maintaining intestinal mucosa and intestinal microecological homeostasis and reducing the susceptibility to colitis. These findings provide a new perspective on the interaction between host and commensal microbiota, which may be beneficial for developing potential therapeutic strategies for IBD.