AddiMapping

• Overall objective:

Disruption of the microbiota-host relationship can lead to chronic inflammation, a central feature of a range of chronic pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease. Many factors regulate the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Among them, diet plays a central role in modulating this complex community and its impact on health.

Recent studies have investigated emulsifying agents, substances incorporated into processed foods. They have revealed that these additives have a strong negative impact on the intestinal microbiota, with damaging repercussions on host physiology. The AddiMapping project aims to explore the role of food emulsifiers on the gut microbiota and their potential impact on chronic inflammation and associated diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease. The main objective is to decipher the mechanisms by which these additives interact with the gut microbiota and influence human health in a personalized way.

• Scientific and societal issues:

Scientific issues:

• • Understanding interactions between food emulsifiers and gut microbiota.
  • Identify the bacteria involved in emulsifier sensitivity.
  • Explore the underlying mechanisms linking emulsifier consumption to chronic inflammation.
  • Develop tools to predict individual response to emulsifiers for personalized nutrition.

Societal issues:

• • Reduce the incidence of chronic inflammatory diseases by adapting nutritional recommendations.
  • Raise public and decision-maker awareness of the potential health effects of food emulsifiers.
  • Contribute to the evolution of food safety policies in line with new scientific knowledge.

• Project focuses:

The AddiMapping project has 5 major focuses:
1) Mapping exposure to emulsifiers: Collect and analyze actual consumption data in the general population and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
2) Phenotyping of gut microbiota: Analyze the composition and functions of gut microbiota in individuals exposed to emulsifiers.
3) Modeling emulsifier-microbiota interactions: Use in vitro and in vivo systems to understand the underlying biological interactions.
4) Validation of mechanisms of chronic inflammation: Determine the causal effects of emulsifiers on intestinal and cardiovascular inflammation in humanized animal models.
5) Identification of bacteria involved in emulsifier sensitivity: Isolate and study bacteria playing a key role in the response to these additives.

• AddiMapping project presentation video