Ginsenoside Rg3 enriches SCFA-producing Blautia spp. to protect against enteric viral infection via GPR43-cGAS-STING-IFN-I axis in macrophages (nature.com)

• Ginsenoside Rg3 promotes growth of SCFA-producing Blautia spp. in mouse gut.
• Blautia coccoides and B. obeum protect against enteric virus infections (MNV, EMCV).
• Protective mechanism involves acetate/propionate-mediated GPR43-cGAS-STING-IFN-I signaling in macrophages.

"Researchers at Zhejiang University found that the herbal monomer ginsenoside Rg3 alters gut microbiota composition in mice, enriching short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing Blautia species. Colonization with Blautia coccoides or Blautia obeum protected mice from murine norovirus and encephalomyocarditis virus infection. The protective effect was mediated by acetate and propionate, which activated type I interferon responses in macrophages via GPR43 signaling, leading to calcium influx, mitochondrial DNA release, and cGAS-STING pathway activation. The study elucidates a mechanism by which gut microbiota metabolites prime antiviral immunity."