The Immunomodulatory Functions of Butyrate

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) system contains many different types of immune cells, making it a key immune organ system in the human body. In the last decade, our knowledge has substantially expanded regarding our understanding of the gut microbiome and its complex interaction with the gut immune system. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and specifically butyrate, play an important role in mediating the effects of the gut microbiome on local and systemic immunity. Gut microbial alterations and depletion of luminal butyrate have been well documented in the literature for a number of systemic and GI inflammatory disorders. Although a substantial knowledge gap exists requiring the need for further investigations to determine cause and effect, there is heightened interest in developing immunomodulatory therapies by means of reprogramming of gut microbiome or by supplementing its beneficial metabolites, such as butyrate. In the current review, we discuss the role of endogenous butyrate in the inflammatory response and maintaining immune homeostasis within the intestine. We also present the experimental models and human studies which explore therapeutic potential of butyrate supplementation in inflammatory conditions associated with butyrate depletion.

The Gut Microbiome – Overview

The human gastrointestinal tract houses trillions of microbes predominantly within the colon known as the gut microbiota (Figure 1). These microbes consist of a commensal blend of bacteria, fungi (mostly yeasts), viruses/phages, archaea, and parasites.¹ The gut microbiome is a term used to describe the genetic and functional aspects of the gut microbiota. Currently, most knowledge regarding the gut microbiome pertains to its bacterial composition which is reported to be at a 1:1 ratio with the body’s eukaryotic cellular composition;² and its health is characterized by its richness and diversity. At the phylum level, the gut microbiota is comprised of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia, with gram negative Bacteroidetes and gram positive Firmicutes representing roughly 90% of the gut microbiota in healthy humans.¹ However, with high interpersonal and intrapersonal variability in the human gut microbiota there is no standard microbial ecology that all healthy people share.³

Figure 1.

Distribution of gut microbes within human gastrointestinal tract. Microbiota comprised of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses, and protozoa present throughout the gastrointestinal system, with colon containing the highest number and diversity of microbes. Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2015. All Rights Reserved.¹⁶³

While gut colonization begins in utero, the first major colonization occurs and varies with the mode of infant delivery, vaginal versus Cesarean section, and the method of infant feeding, breast milk versus infant formula.⁴ Within the first 2–3 years of life, gut microbiome development occurs alongside the physiological and immune maturation of the intestine. As the infant diet progresses to solid foods, a sustained shift occurs in the richness and diversity of the gut microbiome where it begins to resemble that of an adult. Throughout life, multiple factors can influence the composition of the gut microbiome such as diet, medications, physical, metabolic and psychological stress, geography, and aging which is reviewed elsewhere⁵ (Figure 2).

Figure 2.

Key factors influencing the composition and diversity of the gut microbiome. Many factors can influence the gut microbiota composition and diversity beginning with the birthing process and first feeding methods. Other factors such as diet, psychological and physiological stress, pharmaceutical exposure, geographic residence and traveling and exposures, are among several factors which influence the microbiome throughout the lifecycle. Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2015. All Rights Reserved.¹⁶³

Diet is one of the main driving factors contributing to the composition and diversity of the gut microbiota. In response to diet, the gut microbiota produces various metabolites.⁶ A diet rich in complex indigestible carbohydrates (eg, fibers) supports gut microbe-derived metabolites such as short chain fatty acids (SCFA), notably acetate, propionate, and butyrate. Conversely, diets low in fiber and high in fat and simple carbohydrates have a low SCFA fermenting capacity and are linked with chronic health conditions such as colorectal cancer and cardio-metabolic diseases.⁶

Crosstalk Gut Microbiota and Host – Mutualism for Homeostasis

The gut microbiota and its host co-exist in a symbiotic relationship where both parties mutualistically benefit from the presence of the other. The host provides the gut microbiota a safe dwelling niche with a steady supply of nutrients for its survival, and the microbiota supports the host by generating beneficial metabolites, such as vitamins, enzymes and SCFA, participating in pathogen exclusion, and supporting the intestinal epithelial barrier and immune defenses.⁷ The intestinal mucosal immune system is the largest immune constituent in the body that is in contact with the external environment making it essential for host defense and maintaining homeostasis. To accomplish this, the mucosal immune system needs to be tolerant of mutualistic microbes, while at the same time it must ensure a beneficial microbial composition by limiting microbial overgrowth and being reactive to opportunistic pathogens. Studies in germ-free animals indicate the gut microbiome is essential for optimal intestinal immune development and defense. Germ-free animals demonstrate deficiencies in mucosal immune development which compromises their immune defense mechanisms. Absence of a gut microbiome leads to underdeveloped lymphoid structures (eg, Peyer’s patches, mesenteric lymph nodes) and reduced immune cell populations such as IgA-producing plasma cells, CD4+ lamina propria T-cells and intraepithelial αβ T-cell receptor CD8+ cells.^8,9 Angiogenin-4, a Paneth cell-derived antimicrobial peptide important for epithelial host defense against gut microbes, demonstrated decreased gene expression in germ-free compared to conventional mice.¹⁰ Although the gut microbiome involvement in mucosal immune regulation expands beyond the intestinal tract,⁹ here in this review we focused on intestinal innate and adaptive immunity.

Short-Chain Fatty Acids – Butyrate

Short-chain fatty acids are organic acids produced predominantly in the colon by gut microbial fermentation of dietary fermentable fiber and resistant starches, and to a lesser extent, dietary and endogenous proteins.¹¹ SCFA are monocarboxylates with a concentration ratio in a healthy colonic lumen of roughly 60:25:15 acetate (C2):propionate (C3):butyrate (C4), respectively.¹¹ The presence of these weak acids in the colon lowers luminal pH which favors the growth of butyrate-producing bacteria. The use of metagenomic-targeted approaches have  identified butyrate-producing bacteria as a functional group rather than a coherent phylogenic group.¹² Predominating within the Firmicutes phylum within clostridial clusters IV and XIVa, butyrate producers are gram-positive, strictly anaerobic and oxygen-sensitive, saccharolytic bacteria.¹¹ Numbers of clostridial clusters IV and XIVa are low in the neonatal period, slightly increase up to 2 years of age, and then dramatically rise during late childhood and adolescence, but then begin to decline again in adulthood and especially in the elderly.^13,14

Butyrate

The SCFA butyrate is known to be of high biological importance. Butyrate is the primary fuel source for the colonocyte where nearly 90% of generated butyrate is metabolized locally in the colonocyte. SCFA absorption occurs by passive diffusion, as well as active transport by intestinal epithelial cells via sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SMCT1 encoded by SLC5A8) and proton-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1; encoded by SLC16A1).¹⁵ Expression of SCFA transporters is regulated by the presence of SCFA, as demonstrated in germ-free mice and conditions of gut dysbiosis and reduced luminal SCFA.^16–18 SCFA not metabolized in the colon is carried into the liver via the portal vein and used as an energy substrate for hepatocytes, thus leaving very little butyrate in the systemic circulation.¹⁹ However, SCFA can reach the brain and cross the blood–brain barrier likely due to high expression of MCT1 on endothelial cells, with average butyrate concentrations of 17.0 pmol/mg of brain tissue in humans.²⁰ Butyrate supports the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier by regulating the expression of tight junctional proteins and supporting intestinal mucus production.^19,21 Laboratory studies suggest that butyrate assists with gut motility²² by serving as a ligand and activator of SCFA receptors,²³ inducing the gut hormone peptide YY²⁴ or mediating enterochromaffin cell release of serotonin.²⁵ Butyrate enhances water and electrolyte absorption through upregulation of the Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger and induction of genes encoding for ATPase ion exchangers.²² As a histone deacetylase inhibitor, butyrate can alter gene expression, inhibit cell proliferation, and induce cell differentiation or apoptosis, leading to butyrate’s anti-tumor properties.²¹ Butyrate also has anti-inflammatory properties due in part to its role in HDAC inhibition in various cell types such as the intestinal epithelium and immune cells, as well as inhibition of the activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB).²¹ Through downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, butyrate has been shown to modulate proinflammatory cytokine production.^21,26

SCFA and G-Protein Coupled Receptors

SCFA can modulate cellular functions by activating SCFA-sensing pertussis toxin-sensitive G_i -protein coupled receptors (GPCR). These include GPR41 (free fatty acid receptor 3; FFAR3), GPR43 (free fatty acid receptor 2; FFAR2), and GPR109A (hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2; HCAR2). These receptors are expressed in several tissue and cell types in humans and animals^18,27–35 (Table-1).

Table 1.

SCFA G-Protein Coupled Receptors^18,27–35

GPCR	Tissue/Cell Expression	Signaling	Ligands
GPR41, FFAR3	Adipose tissue, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), pancreas, spleen and placenta monocytes, neutrophils, and monocyte-derived dendritic cells	Gαi/G0 Β-gustducin	Acetate, propionate, butyrate, formate, pentanoate
GPR43, FFAR2	Intestinal epithelium, monocytes, neutrophils, PBMCs, B and T lymphocytes, T regulatory cells, and colonic myeloid cells	Gαi/G0 and Gαq/11 Β-arrestin-2	Acetate, propionate, butyrate, pentanoate, hexanoate, formate
GPR109A, HCAR2, NIACR1	Colon, ileum, jejunum, duodenum; adipose tissue, lung, spleen, monocytes, monocyte-derived dendritic cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages	Gαi/G0 Β-arrestin-1	Butyrate, β-hydroxybutyrate, niacin

Abbreviations: GPR, G-protein coupled receptor; FFAR2, free fatty acid receptor 2; FFAR3, free fatty acid receptor 3; HCAR2, hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2; NIACR1, nicotinic acid receptor.

Through interactions with these GPCRs, SCFA can activate anti-inflammatory signaling cascades and modulate intestinal homeostasis. Using experimental mouse models to induce intestinal inflammation and bacterial infection, GPR43, GPR41, and SCFA exposure were necessary for mounting an immune response, mitigating inflammatory insults, and clearing bacteria³⁶ via the induction of chemokine and cytokine release in intestinal epithelial cells and activated effector T cells. These responses were due to activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase which were GPR41/43 dependent.³⁶ GPR109A is highly expressed on innate immune cells and adipose tissue, as well as the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells.³⁴ GPR109a^−/− mice have altered intestinal immune capacity with reduced frequency of Treg and IL-10 producing CD4+ T cells in the colon.³³ When subjected to chemically-induced colonic inflammation and cancer with dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and azoxymethane (AOM), GPR109a^−/− mice had exacerbated inflammation and colon carcinogenesis, suggesting the importance of GPR109a in promoting anti-inflammatory properties and colonic homeostasis.³³ Further studies showed that Gpr109a-dependent signaling suppressed IL-23 production from dendritic cells and reduced colonic inflammation.³⁷ Presence of GPR109a was also shown to protect against experimental Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection, secretory IgA responses, and intestinal barrier integrity.³⁸ Sivaprakasam et al provided a detailed review of SCFA receptors.³⁹

Intestinal Immunity

As the largest compartment of the immune system, the intestine contains anatomical and physiological distinctions of its immune components. The Peyer’s patches and the mesenteric lymph nodes comprise organized lymphoid tissues known as the Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT). The effector sites of the intestine are the mucosal epithelium and the underlying lamina propria. Within the lamina propria are many different immune cells including activated T cells, plasma cells, and numerous innate immune cells including mast cells, dendritic cells, eosinophils, and macrophages (Figure 3). A detailed review of the intestinal immune system can be found in Mowat et al.⁴⁰

Figure 3.

Interaction of the gut microbiota with components of intestinal innate and adaptive immunity. Intestinal immune cells including dendritic and mast cells, neutrophils, B and T lymphocytes are depicted in representative locations within gastrointestinal mucosa. G-protein coupled receptors in which butyrate serves as a ligand are present on major immune cells and function as key link for butyrate mediated modulation of immune function. Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2021. All Rights Reserved.¹⁶³

Butyrate in Intestinal Immunity – Innate

Mucosal Barrier

The single layer of intestinal epithelial cells and its adjacent mucous layer serve as the host’s first line of intestinal immune defense by providing a physical barrier against pathogen penetration. It also possesses the ability to secrete antimicrobial peptides by Paneth cells located at the bottom of the intestinal crypts and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA). In response to microbes, epithelial cells secrete cytokines and chemokines that recruit immune cells for protective immunity. Within the lamina propria, macrophages and dendritic cells also facilitate the innate immune response in the mucosa. Dysregulation of these immune responses can lead to inflammatory conditions of the intestine.

Tight junctional proteins seal the paracellular space between intestinal epithelial cells, and disassembly of these junctional proteins can allow for bacteria and bacterial byproducts to translocate from the gut lumen into systemic circulation. Butyrate supports intestinal integrity as demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Various intestinal cell models (eg, Caco-2 human intestinal cells,^41–43 E12 human colon cells⁴⁴) of inciting conditions (eg, lipopolysaccharide (LPS),⁴⁵ ethanol^41,42) demonstrate butyrate treatment protects against functional disruption of intestinal epithelial integrity using methods of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability of fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Multiple mechanisms have been demonstrated for butyrate’s direct effects on the intestinal epithelial barrier. Increased TJ reassembly and TER restoration was due to butyrate’s induction of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity.^41,43,46 During exposure to LPS, butyrate’s protection against LPS-induced TER reduction and paracellular permeability coincided with less activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy via butyrate’s HDAC activity.⁴⁵ Butyrate has also been shown to stabilize hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor that coordinates low oxygen in the colonic epithelium to regulate intestinal barrier function.⁴⁷ Positive effects of butyrate on TJ proteins are dose dependent, with lower doses demonstrating benefit. In vitro studies with E12 mucus-producing epithelial cells demonstrated that lower (1–10 mM), but not higher (50–100 mM), butyrate dosing prevented alterations in TER, FITC-dextran permeability, and mucus production by goblet cells.⁴⁴ Higher butyrate dosing in Caco-2 monolayers (8 mM) was cytotoxic reducing TER, increasing FITC permeability, and inducing apoptosis compared to lower dosing (2 mM).⁴⁸ In a mouse model of ethanol exposure, the amount and delivery method of tributyrin, a butyrate prodrug, paradoxically impacted the effect on intestinal TJ proteins and liver injury. Higher doses (10 mM) provided daily in the food supply increased liver injury and steatosis compared to lower doses provided by oral gavage, despite both methods and doses protecting against ethanol-induced disassembly of intestinal TJ proteins.⁴¹ Together, these data support the notion that butyrate has a direct beneficial effect on supporting the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity in a dose-dependent manner.

Mucosal Inflammation

The intestinal immune system must remain tolerant of commensal microbes in order to maintain homeostasis. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) are expressed by intestinal epithelial cells and immune cells within the lamina propria. These evolutionary conserved receptors recognize microbially-associated molecular patterns (MAMPS) and trigger diverse innate immune responses. Some PRRs also recognize damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS) released during cellular stress or tissue injury. Toll like receptors (1, 2, 4, 5, and 6) are located primarily in the plasma membrane and interact with components of microbial pathogens. Despite having different ligands, PRRs share signaling pathways that ultimately activate pro-inflammatory transcription factors, such as NF-κB, which controls expression of genes encoding for proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, inducible inflammatory enzymes, adhesion molecules, growth factors, acute phase proteins, and immune receptors.⁴⁹ Thus, it is essential that there is tight regulation of PRR activity to avoid excessive inflammation and dysregulated immune responses. A more detailed review of PRRs can be found in Burgueno et al.⁵⁰

Multiple human and animal studies demonstrate that in response to butyrate within the intestine proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 are inhibited, and anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β are induced.⁴⁰ Butyrate has a long-standing history of being anti-inflammatory through its inhibition of NF-κB, as demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo studies.^51–55 Butyrate, a ligand for GPR109A, inhibited LPS-induced activation of NF-κB in normal colon cells.³⁴ The nuclear transcription factor PPARγ, which antagonizes NF-κB, was reported to be upregulated by butyrate in HT-29 colonic epithelial cells.⁵⁶ Butyrate suppression of reactive oxygen species through support of the antioxidant system has been suggested as a means for butyrate inactivation of NF-κB inflammatory signaling.⁵⁷ In a mouse model of chronic-binge ethanol feeding which induces oxidative stress, tributyrin co-supplementation mitigated losses in gene expression of superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), thioredoxin (TRX1) and protected against ethanol-induced NOX1.⁵⁸

Mucosal Antimicrobial Peptides

Antimicrobial peptides (AMP), including defensins, cathelicidins, and C-type lectins (eg, regenerating [Reg] islet-derived protein family), are highly conserved, evolutionary, and are important in innate immunity at intestinal mucosal surfaces. Butyrate has been shown to promote production of AMPs by intestinal epithelial cells through its interaction with GPR43,⁵⁹ activation of MEK/ERK and JNK pathways,⁶⁰ and its cell proliferation mechanisms.⁶⁰ Butyrate was also shown to increase AMPs secreted by macrophages. Acting via its HDAC3 inhibitory function, butyrate drove monocyte to macrophage differentiation and induced macrophage production of AMPs, S100A8 and S100A9 genes and calprotectin expression, in the absence of increased proinflammatory cytokine response, which led to enhanced bactericidal function in vitro and in vivo.⁶¹

Butyrate and Intestinal Innate Immune Cells

Neutrophils

As first responders into an inflammatory site, neutrophils are responsive to pathogens by producing cytokines that begin coordinating the recruitment and activation of other immune cells. Several neutrophil functions are modulated by SCFA. By regulating the production of inflammatory mediators, such as TNFα and IL-17, SCFA modify neutrophil recruitment.⁶² Neutrophil chemotaxis has been shown to be regulated through the SCFA activation of the GPR43 receptor in neutrophils.^63,64 SCFA may also modify neutrophil functions such as their phagocytic capacity and ability to produce and release reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide.⁶⁵ Butyrate and propionate induce apoptosis in both activated and non-activated neutrophils, which depends on activation of caspases but not Gα_i/o and Gα_q pathways, suggesting independence of SCFA receptors.⁶⁶

Macrophages

Intestinal macrophages are the most abundant immune cells within the lamina propria where they are important for the induction of innate immune responses. In bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated with LPS, butyrate decreased secretion of IL-6, IL-12p40, and nitric oxide to a greater extent than acetate or propionate in a dose dependent manner, suggesting butyrate has anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages.³⁰ Butyrate treatment in macrophages isolated from the colonic lamina propria and stimulated with LPS, had less inflammatory response exhibited by decreased IL-6 secretion and mRNA expression, IL-12 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, but butyrate had no effect on TNFα or MCP-1.³⁰ Similar effects were noted in macrophages isolated from the colonic lamina propria of mice treated with antibiotics and butyrate, suggesting that butyrate modulates immune responses of colon lamina propria macrophages. These responses were dependent on HDAC inhibition but not TLRs and GPCRs.³⁰ Contrary to these studies, SCFA alone or in combination, and/or combined with TLR agonists, led to pro-inflammatory effects by inducing IL-1β, IL-6, CXCL8/IL-8 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.⁶⁷ Thus, the divergences on the inflammatory effects of butyrate appears to depend on the cell type studied and the conditions, environment, and type of stimulation.⁶⁸

Mast Cells

Mast cells, which are abundant within the GI tract mucosa and submucosa, are known to play a role in GI diseases such as food allergy, as well as certain forms of colitis and Crohn’s disease.^69–72 Provision of dietary fibers and prebiotics that are fermented into SCFA have been tested in animal models of food allergens. Benefits relating to anaphylaxis scores and IgE concentrations were noted with fiber supplementation, or the addition of acetate or butyrate to animal drinking water, suggesting the production of SCFA from fiber as the mediating effector on mast cells.⁷³ Similarly, prebiotics tested in mouse models of colitis which led to increased fecal SCFA levels were linked with protection of the intestinal barrier, and a reduction in inflammation and inflammatory cytokines.⁷⁴ Germinated barley, a prebiotic that is fermented into SCFA, reduced colonic mast cell recruitment when fed to rats in an experimental colitis model;⁷⁵ and ulcerative colitis patients fed germinated barley had reduced inflammation and an improved clinical activity index.^76,77 When testing the direct effects of butyrate on mast cells, jejunal mucosa of pigs treated with butyrate had reduced mast cell degranulation and gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines.⁷⁸ These data corroborate a previous report demonstrating that the direct effect of butyrate on mast cells was due to the MAPK signaling pathway and inhibition of JNK phosphorylation.⁷⁹

Innate Lymphoid Cells

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are regulated by multiple endogenous mammalian cell-derived factors and integrate innate and adaptive immune responses to assist in maintaining physiological homeostasis.⁸⁰ Nontoxic ILCs consist of three distinct groups: ILC1, 2, and 3 and are defined based on their transcription factor requirements, effector cytokine expression, and other distinct effector functions.⁸⁰ ILC3s express retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) and produce IL-17A, IL-22, lymphotoxin, and GM-CSF.⁸¹ While ILC3s increase in population in the distal small intestinal lamina propria, they were found to have distinctive distribution in proximal versus ileal Peyer’s patches in mice based on specific transcription factor expression; and the suppression of RORγt + ILC3 in ileal Peyer’s patches was linked with the presence of butyrate.⁸² Butyrate levels, which were higher in the ileum than jejunum as expected, were inversely associated with RORγt+ ILC3s and IL-22 expression, suggesting that butyrate was a regionally specialized factor suppressing ILC3s in terminal ileal Peyer’s patches.⁸² A study in mice found butyrate supplementation and subsequent increased colonic butyrate levels, promoted IL-22 production from ILCs in the lamina propria and mesenteric lymph nodes through histone deacetylase inhibition and GPR41 by promoting aryl hydrocarbon receptor and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α.⁸³ IL-22 aids in protecting the intestine against inflammatory injury by inducing AMPs and supporting the intestinal barrier.^84,85

Butyrate in Intestinal Immunity – Adaptive

Butyrate has been shown to play an important role in an adaptive immune response via two distinct pathways: firstly, from the effect of butyrate on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DC),^32,86–88 and secondly, through butyrate’s direct effect on T lymphocytes.^89,90

Dendritic Cells

As specialized antigen presenting cells, dendritic cells (DC) are in direct contact with the gut microbiota and its metabolites. In the intestine, DC induce adaptive immune responses in primary T cells bridging the gap between innate and adaptive immunity.^91,92 Immature DC help maintain a state of immune tolerance, and mature DC can activate immune responses. Butyrate treatment is reported to have a significant impact on differentiation, maturation, and overall T lymphocyte stimulating effects of human monocyte derived DC.^86,90 In vitro studies found butyrate in the presence of inducers (eg, LPS, TNF-α) affected the differentiation of DC and induced an immunosuppressive effect in DC derived from human monocytes and inhibited T cell proliferation.^21,86 Butyrate treatment at low non-toxic doses reduced the expression of mature DC surface markers for mature DC (CD80, CD83, CD40, CD45, MHC class II molecules).^21,86 Multiple studies have also explored the modulatory effect of butyrate on cytokine production by DC, and reported that butyrate treatment inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-12 when DC were stimulated.^21,86,93 Liu et al reported that butyrate treatment resulted in 3-fold decrease in IL-12 secretion, 5-fold decrease in IFN-γ, and 11-fold increase in IL-10 secretions from DC.²¹ Butyrate-stimulated DC significantly promoted IL-10 production by priming Type-1 regulatory T cells (Tr1).⁹³ Through activation of GPR109a in macrophages and DC, butyrate plays a key role in maintenance of pro- and anti-inflammatory T lymphocytes, as butyrate potentiates conversion of naïve T cells to FoxP3+ regulatory T cells while suppressing IFN-γ+ T cells.^33,87 Kaiser et al also reported that butyrate rendered DC metabolically less active by significantly antagonizing LPS-induced extracellular acidification rate, as well as by significantly reducing mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate in butyrate treated DC at baseline.⁹³

T and B Lymphocytes

Independent of its immunomodulatory effects mediated by DC and macrophages, butyrate also has dose-dependent direct effects on T lymphocytes.^89,94,95 By utilizing a combination of both in-vivo and in-vitro experiments, Arpaia et al concluded that butyrate can boost extrathymic Treg-cell generation by acting directly on T cells, and in the absence of DC, this effect was mediated by an increase in the extrathymic CNS1 (Conserved Noncoding Sequence-1)-dependent differentiation of Treg cells.⁸⁹ Butyrate via its HDAC function, caused increased Foxp3 protein acetylation, which ultimately resulted in higher Foxp3 protein levels in Treg cell culture.⁸⁹ Kespohl et al studied the effect of different butyrate concentrations (0.1mM to 1mM for in-vitro, and 50mM to 200mM for in-vivo via oral route) on T cell-mediated immune response utilizing CD4+ T cells.⁹⁵ They reported that at lower concentrations (0.1 to 0.5 mM) butyrate facilitated differentiation of Tregs both in-vitro and in-vivo, while at a higher concentration (1mM) butyrate induced the expression of the transcription factor T-bet which resulted in IFN-γ-producing Tregs or conventional T cells.⁹⁵ In addition to its direct effect on CD4+ T lymphocytes, butyrate also directly modulated gene expression in CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and altered gene expression of effector molecules such as IFN-γ in a dose dependent manner.^96,97 Butyrate also improved the memory potential and enhanced recall capacity of CD8+ T memory cells (Tmem) through reprogramming cellular mitochondrial metabolic flux.^98,99 SCFA have also been shown to promote IL-10 production from Th1 cells via GPR43 mediated effect, which plays an important role in maintenance of intestinal homeostasis and Gpr43−/− CBir1 Tg Th1 cells have been reported to induce severe colitis in mice.¹⁰⁰ Recent studies have also investigated the effect of butyrate on regulatory B lymphocytes (B10) and found butyrate to have anti-inflammatory properties resulting from induction of IL-10 producing B cells.^101,102 However, conflicting data exist, as other studies which utilized different doses of butyrate reported direct inhibitory effect of butyrate on B10 cells, and speculated that previous reports on B10 induction by butyrate likely resulted from indirect effects via serotonin-derived metabolite 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid.¹⁰³ A study by Daien et al showed that the SCFA acetate promoted B10 cell which resulted in an anti-inflammatory effect.¹⁰³ Butyrate has been reported to cause B-cell intrinsic epigenetic modulation of antibody response by HDAC inhibitory effect and enhancing class-switch DNA recombination, which results in inhibition of autoimmune response.¹⁰⁴ SCFA also induce antibody response by stimulating intestinal mucosal IgA responses and systemic IgG responses.¹⁰⁵ Overall, a substantial level of evidence has been reported supporting the role of SCFA in general and butyrate in specific in various stages of adaptive immune responses.

Clinical Significance for Select GI Diseases

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic intestinal inflammatory disorders with two main subtypes: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.¹⁰⁶ Although exact pathogenesis of IBD is not completely understood, IBD involves complex interactions among various influencing factors of genetics, gut microbiota and mucosal immunity via both innate and adaptive immune responses.¹⁰⁶ In both subtypes of IBD, a reduction in butyrate producing gut microbes has been reported.^107,108 As it has been described in our previous detailed discussion in this review, butyrate has multi-stage modulating effects on intestinal defense mechanisms which include protection of the intestinal mucosal barrier through promotion of tight junctional proteins in the intestinal epithelium, support of innate and adaptive immune responses, as well as inhibition of oxidative stress by reducing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) levels, and improved detoxification of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by induction of catalase.^109,110 Since the late 20th century when the implication of butyrate in colitis was first highlighted, a series of experimental and clinical studies have been conducted.^110,111

Experimental Studies with IBD Modeling

In this section, we discuss the studies exploring the butyrate effect in IBD-specific processes. For the broader and more detailed overview of the butyrate effect on overall immune function please refer to the earlier section of this review. Although some of these previously discussed concepts do have significant application in IBD pathogenesis, they will not be discussed in the current section to avoid redundancy. Intestinal mucosal ulceration is one of the major manifestations of IBD, and butyrate’s effects on intestinal epithelial cell growth and cell death processes have been well-documented. Depending on the overall homeostatic condition, such as the presence or absence of an alternate energy source, butyrate has been shown to have either growth stimulatory or apoptotic properties for human colonic epithelial cells.¹¹² In addition, butyrate has been shown to reduce DNA damage from oxidative stress in both human and rat-derived colonocyte cultures.^113,114 Early life exposures such as breastfeeding has been reported to have a protective role against development and pathogenesis of IBD.¹¹⁵ Gao et al studied this mechanism further and analyzed this effect by utilizing immature human enterocytes.¹¹⁶ Their team reported that breast milk induced the anti-inflammatory environment in newborns’ GI tract via its metabolite butyrate by inducing the expression of genes for both tight junctional proteins and mucus production.¹¹⁶ As discussed in earlier section of innate immunity, inflammasomes, a group of cytosolic protein complexes which regulate the balance of commensal bacteria and protect from pathogenic organisms, also have a potential role in pathogenesis of IBD.^117,118 While inflammasomes are protective when intestinal barrier is intact, once the barrier is disrupted by gut dysbiosis, inflammasomes’ activation and recruitment of immune cells are associated with mucosal inflammation – which is another major pathophysiologic mechanism for ongoing inflammation in IBD.¹¹⁸ Butyrate has been shown to modulate pro-inflammatory signals and inhibit several nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome markers in an in vitro co-culture model of intestinal inflammation.^118,119 One study reported that butyrate significantly reduced IL-8 secretion, and therefore IL-8 mediated chemotaxis, when IL-1β was inhibited by other IBD therapies (such as 5-ASA), highlighting a mechanism behind the inconsistent clinical response by butyrate alone and potential for combining butyrate with other treatment modalities of IBD.^120,121 Geirnaert et al augmented the microbiota derived from Crohn’s disease patients by adding butyrate-producing bacteria (F. prausnitzii, Butyricicoccus pullicaecorum, and the mix of six butyrate-producers) which improved epithelial barrier integrity in vitro.¹²²

Animal Studies

In animal models, preventative and therapeutic potential of butyrate for colitis has been studied either by modulating butyrate levels through dietary supplementation of butyrate-yielding prebiotics, sodium butyrate, or tributyrin, or through direct sodium butyrate instillation via rectal enemas. In a DSS-induced colitis model in male outbred-CD-1 mice, the dietary provision of baked corn and bean snack (20–40 g/kg body weight) resulted in the highest concentration of butyrate in the cecum and feces, and an anti-inflammatory effect by down-regulating IL-1 receptor, TLR receptors and TNF-alpha pathways.¹²³ Smith et al reported that 150mM of butyrate supplementation in drinking water resulted in increased colonic regulatory T cells (cTregs) frequency and number in the germ free mice.¹²⁴ Similarly, in another study byZhang et al, they studied the effect of butyrate supplementation in a rat model of colitis and reported that butyrate supplementation played an important role in regulating Treg and Th17 cell balance and exerted protective effect against development of IBD.¹²⁵ Impaired intestinal barrier function and increased permeability is considered one of the key mechanisms in development of IBD, and as discussed earlier butyrate supplementation has been shown to mitigate this effect in multiple in-vitro animal models.^42,126 In IL-10 deficient mice which are prone to development of colitis, butyrate supplementation has been shown to provide protection against colitis through reducing the amount of colitogenic IgA-coated bacteria.¹²⁷ Butyrate enemas have also been shown to stimulate mucosal repair and healing, and exert anti-inflammatory effect in intestinal epithelium.^128–130 Burrello et al reported that fecal microbiota transplantation with healthy stool in mice exposed to chronic intestinal inflammation decreased colonic inflammation, effects which are mediated through T cell modulation.^131,132

Human Studies and Therapeutic Application

Human studies for therapeutic use of butyrate in IBD have been implemented since late 20th century. In 1992 Scheppach et al performed a clinical trial in which 100mMol/L of butyrate via rectal enema was compared with placebo for distal ulcerative colitis and reported that butyrate improved all parameters related to colitis including clinical indices with decreased stool frequency and blood in stool, and endoscopic and histological inflammatory grading.¹³³ Other clinical trials which followed reported mixed results, ranging from no to some butyrate effectiveness, although not at the degree of therapeutic value.^134,135 Hamer et al studied the effect of butyrate in low grade inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients in remission, and reported only minor improvements in inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters after rectal enema of 10mM sodium butyrate for 20 days.¹³⁶ In a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight randomized clinical trials on a total of 227 patients with UC, Jamka et al reported that current limited evidence does not support the use of butyrate enemas in UC.¹³⁷ Due to inconsistencies in the response of butyrate therapy, perhaps at some degree due to variability in dosages, duration and a standardization of the formula, current applicability of butyrate in IBD is considered as an add-on supplementary therapy at best.^121,138 One area in which butyrate has shown more consistent effectiveness is in cases of diversion colitis, a post-surgical manifestation when a part of colon is out of continuity and butyrate depletion is thought to be the major factor for driving inflammation.¹³⁹ Although surgical treatment with either reconnection or resection of the diverted colon is a more definitive treatment, butyrate enema has been shown to have therapeutic value when medical management is considered.¹⁴⁰ It should be noted that due to overall discrepancy in the evidence, there remains a lack of SCFA or butyrate related guidelines from GI and Nutrition Societies.^141,142 Although most studies utilizing the gut microbiota reprogramming by means of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics,¹⁴³ or the fecal microbiota transplantation in patients with UC or CD have produced positive results,^144–146 the exact mechanism behind this complex interaction between the gut microbiome and the host is not clearly understood, requiring further investigations to determine the role and implications of butyrate in management of this complex inflammatory disorder.

Colorectal Cancer

Patients with colorectal cancer have been reported to have low levels of SCFA including butyrate.¹⁴⁷ As mentioned, butyrate has been reported to have a paradoxical effect on the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells, supporting healthy cells in homeostasis, but suppressing the hyper-proliferation induced by cancer.^112,148,149 Sodium butyrate has been shown to induce apoptosis in human colonic cancer cell lines in a p-53 independent pathway.¹⁵⁰ Butyrate also provides protection against oxidative stress and DNA damage.¹¹³ Butyrate has also been reported to have cancer protective effects via several pathways which include suppression of Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1),¹⁵¹ inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway,¹⁵² differential regulation of Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway,^153,154 and upregulation of microRNA miR-203 and promotion of cell apoptosis,¹⁵⁵ and inhibition of pro-proliferative miR-92a.¹⁵⁶ Due to a well-established role of dietary pattern with colorectal cancer, the majority of human trials have investigated interventions by means of modifying dietary fiber intake and reported reduced risk of colorectal cancer recurrence.^157,158

Recent extensive meta-analyses' have confirmed these trends and reported a strong association of colorectal cancer risk with dietary pattern and specifically with a low fiber, high fat and simple sugar containing diet.^159,160 Although there are several possible theories through which the anti-colon-cancer effect of the high fiber diet is thought to be mediated, the evidence from in-vitro studies have shown that butyrate plays a major role as an important intermediary metabolite in this pathway.^140,161,162 More research is needed to show the direct effects of gut microbially generated butyrate on anti-colon cancer effects.

Conclusion and Future Perspectives

In summary, butyrate is a key gut microbial metabolite which mediates the effects of the gut microbiota on the immune system, and not only does it play a key role in the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis, but it also has future potential therapeutic implications for a spectrum of gastrointestinal and systemic disorders. Figure 4 summarizes what is currently known regarding butyrate’s role within the intestinal immune system. Certain challenges remain due to its low bio-availability, short half-life, variable levels in healthy individuals, as well as the lack of consistent clinical data supporting its value as a therapeutic option. Future studies including rigorous experimental models and explorations are necessary to further characterize the potential of butyrate as a preventative or therapeutic option for inflammatory and immune-mediated intestinal conditions.

Figure 4.

Overview of butyrate modulatory effects on immune function. Butyrate enhances the intestinal mucosal barrier by directly inducing tight junctional proteins in the epithelium. This effect is further augmented by butyrate’s induction of IL-22 secretion from ILC3 cells. Through interaction with GPCR 43 and 41, butyrate inhibits the proinflammatory cytokine secretion from neutrophils. Butyrate has direct effects on macrophages and dendritic cells via GPCR and modulates T cell function by increasing Foxp3 T cells while inhibiting IFN-ɣ producing T cells. Butyrate increases serotonin production and is also an inhibitor of HDAC. It modulates B cell function through these routes and increases anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 while it decreases IL-17. By increasing IgA and IgG antibody response from B cells, butyrate augments specific immunity and inhibits autoimmunity. Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2021. All Rights Reserved.¹⁶³

Disclosure

This work was supported by a National Institutes of Health grant (no. R01AA028043- 01A1 (Cresci) and 2T32DK083251-11A1 (MPI). The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.