Gnotobiotic mice models

An attractive strategy to standardize the microbiota is the use of gnotobiotic mice, i.e., mice with known microbial colonization status, which can be generated by introducing well-characterized microbial communities into germ-free animals
Bayer & Philpott 2021 Cell Host & Microbe 29: 545-547

In gnotobiotic mice, fiber-deprived gut microbiota targets host mucin glycans as an Energy source
Wolter et al. 2021 Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 18(12): 885-902

Transplantation of feces from cytolysin-positive patients with alcoholic hepatitis exacerbates ethanol-induced liver disease in gnotobiotic mice
Duan et al. 2019 Nature 575: 505–511

Phage therapy against cytolytic E. faecalis abolishes ethanol-induced liver disease in gnotobiotic mice
Duan et al. 2019 Nature 575: 505–511

The development of gnotobiotic animal models has enabled the effects of individual microbial species or strains to be assayed.
Ahern et al. 2014

Gnotobiotic mice are raised in germ-free environments. They have fewer CD8+ T cells in their mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs). They also have lower Interferon Type II (IFN Type II) / Interferon Gamma (IFN-g) levels in the small intestine (SI), colon, and Mesenteric Lymph Nodes (MLNs) / Superior mesenteric lymph nodes. This is compared to conventional lab mice
Kernbauer et al. 2014 Nature 516: 94-98

see also:
Gut microbiota & Virus Infections