Evaluation of the Mechanisms Underlying Amino Acid and Microbiota Interactions in Intestinal Infections Using Germ-Free Animals

Abstract Intestinal infectious diseases refer to the inflammatory changes in the intestinal tract caused by pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or parasites) or their toxic products. A large number of microorganisms colonize the intestinal tract of healthy people, which together with the intestinal epithelium constitute the biological barrier of the intestinal tract to resist infectious diseases. As an “invisible organ,” the intestinal flora is closely related to human nutrition metabolism and intestinal infections. A variety of intestinal flora participates in the nutritional metabolism of amino acids, and the small molecular substances produced by the amino acid metabolism through the intestinal flora can enhance intestinal immunity and resist bacterial infections. In turn, amino acids can also regulate the composition of the intestinal flora, maintain the steady-state of the intestinal flora, protect the intestinal barrier, and inhibit colonization by pathogenic bacteria. As a model animal with a clear microbial background, germ-free (GF) animals can clarify the mechanisms of interactions between intestinal microbes and amino acid metabolism in intestinal infections by combining genetic engineering technology and multi-omics studies. This article reviews related researches on the involvement of intestinal microbes in host amino acid metabolism and resistance to intestinal infections and discusses the advantages of GF animal models for studying the underlying mechanisms. The GF animal model is helpful to further study the intervention effects of amino acid metabolism of targeted intestinal flora on intestinal infections.