When the Virus Leaves But the Lock Stays: Post-Viral Epigenetic Silencing in Gut Dysfunction and… — section

This is a systems loop. The colonocyte maintains SLC5A8 expression → imports butyrate → butyrate inhibits HDACs → HDAC inhibition maintains the open chromatin state that keeps SLC5A8 expressed and keeps colonocyte differentiation programs active. The loop is self-sustaining under normal conditions.