Gut bacteria chemicals can change how T cells develop and work by affecting their genes and energy metabolism pathways.
Scientific Claim
SCFAs may regulate T cell differentiation and function through histone deacetylase inhibition and mTOR pathway activation.
Source Excerpt
“SCFAs regulate T-cell metabolism through HDAC inhibition. SCFAs can increase the differentiation of naive T cells into effector T cells, such as Th1 and Th17 effector T cells, which may be related to the inhibitory activity of HDAC. In T cells, SCFAs were found to increase the acetylation of p70 S6 kinase and the phosphorylation of rS6 by inhibiting HDAC activity, thereby increasing mTOR activity to increase the production of Th17 and Th1 cells and IL-10(+) T cells.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting Studies
Regulation of short-chain fatty acids in the immune system
The study describes how SCFAs may influence T cell differentiation through HDAC inhibition and mTOR pathway activation. This is a descriptive claim about observed mechanisms in the literature.
⚠️ Overstated
The study uses definitive language ('regulate', 'increase', 'increase the production') but is a review summarizing existing research. It cannot establish definitive causal relationships between SCFAs and T cell differentiation.
More accurate phrasing:
“SCFAs may be associated with regulation of T cell differentiation and function through histone deacetylase inhibition and mTOR pathway activation.”