The Vagus Nerve conducts viable translocation of gut flora to the lungs that impacts interstitial lung disease severity in mice

Communication between gut microbiota and extraintestinal organs is increasingly recognized, yet elucidation of relevant translocation mechanism(s) remains enigmatic. Vagus neuroanatomy and reports of vagal protein transfer to extraintestinal organs suggest that this superhighway could translocate bacteria. Here we explore whether the vagus superhighway can translocate bacteria to extraintestinal organs. Gavage of green fluorescent protein expressing Escherichia coli (GFP E. coli) into germ free (GF) or specific pathogen free (SPF) C57BL/6 mice yielded high bacillary loads in the stomach and lungs, followed by the heart, stool and peripheral muscles, despite negative blood cultures. Notably,