Cytolethal distending toxin B results in distinct gut microtypes and signaling changes in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome

Cytolethal distending toxin B (CdtB) potentially underlies the development of diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), through mimicry to vinculin. To explore this, we inoculated rats with CdtB or vehicle. CdtB-inoculated rats developed IBS-like phenotypes including looser stool and increased cytokine levels, increases in predicted metabolic pathways including inflammatory responses and diarrhea, and three distinct ileal microbiome profiles (microtypes). All CdtB-inoculated rats had decreased ileal expression of cell-junction proteins including vinculin-associated protein talin. IBS-D subjects also had decreased whole blood vinculin and talin expression.