The role of tributyrin in Treg Differentiation and Skin Graft Survival

• Grant number: 23/13842-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 29, 2024
• End date: May 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Applied Immunology
• Principal Investigator: Niels Olsen Saraiva Câmara
• Grantee: Heitor Pereira Vale da Costa
• Supervisor: Thiago J Borges
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Massachusetts General Hospital, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/13419-9 - THE ROLE OF THE GUT-SKIN AXIS IN THE REJECTION OF ALLOGENIC TRANSPLANTS IN A MURINE EXPERIMENTAL MODEL, BP.IC

Abstract

The gut microbiota has several immunoregulatory mechanisms that induce the host's immune tolerance against the microbiome throughout life. These organisms use fibers from the diet as nutrients for their metabolic fermentation, generating different types of shortchain fatty acids (SCFAs) as metabolic by-products. Among them, butyrate has been shown to induce Tregs, and its oral administration also reduces the pathogenesis of different gut inflammatory conditions. In its "native" form, butyrate has low systemic bioavailability, limiting its effects on the gut microenvironment. However, in the form of Tributyrin (Trib), butyrate intestinal absorption increases, boosting its bioavailability and systemic effects. Therefore, we aim to investigate our research endeavors to assess the potential of oral Tributyrin administration in eliciting immune modulation and improving graft survival in a minor-mismatched skin transplant model.