Fig. 8

Schematic representation of the regulation of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacterial strains and SCFAs. Colitis damages the gut barrier, inducing the activation of M1 macrophages, which produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. In turn, SCFA-producing bacterial strains and SCFAs stimulate the activation of M2 macrophages, which produce anti-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-10) to inhibit JAK/STAT3/FOXO3 axis activation and improve gut barrier function