Project description:Alterations in composition and function of the intestinal microbiota have been observed in organismal aging across a broad spectrum of animal phyla. Recent findings, which have been derived mostly in simple animal models, have even established a causal relationship between age-related microbial shifts and lifespan, suggesting microbiota-directed interventions as a potential tool to decelerate aging processes. To test whether a life-long microbiome rejuvenation strategy could delay or even prevent aging in mammals, we performed recurrent fecal microbial transfer (FMT) in mice throughout life. Transfer material was either derived from 8-week-old mice (young microbiome, yMB) or from animals of the same age as the recipients (isochronic microbiome, iMB) as control. Physiological responses were analyzed by rotarod and a grip strength test, intestinal barrier function by FITC gavage and LAL assay, transcriptional responses by single cell RNA sequencing and microbiome function by 16S profiling and metagenomics. Colonization with yMB improved coordination and intestinal permeability compared to iMB. yMB encoded fewer pro-inflammatory factors and altered metabolic pathways favoring oxidative phosphorylation. Ecological interactions among bacteria in yMB were more antagonistic than in iMB hinting at more stable microbiome communities. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of intestinal mucosa revealed a salient shift of cellular phenotypes in the yMB group with markedly increased ATP synthesis and mitochondrial pathways in enterocytes and TA cells but reduced inflammatory signaling in macrophages. Taken together, we demonstrate that life-long and repeated transfer of microbiota material from young mice improved age-related processes including motor coordination, intestinal permeability and immune cell phenotypes.
Project description:Alterations in composition and function of the intestinal microbiota have been observed in organismal aging across a broad spectrum of animal phyla. Recent findings, which have been derived mostly in simple animal models, have even established a causal relationship between age-related microbial shifts and lifespan, suggesting microbiota-directed interventions as a potential tool to decelerate aging processes. To test whether a life-long microbiome rejuvenation strategy could delay or even prevent aging in mammals, we performed recurrent fecal microbial transfer (FMT) in mice throughout life. Transfer material was either derived from 8-week-old mice (young microbiome, yMB) or from animals of the same age as the recipients (isochronic microbiome, iMB) as control. Physiological responses were analyzed by rotarod and a grip strength test, intestinal barrier function by FITC gavage and LAL assay, transcriptional responses by single cell RNA sequencing and microbiome function by 16S profiling and metagenomics. Colonization with yMB improved coordination and intestinal permeability compared to iMB. yMB encoded fewer pro-inflammatory factors and altered metabolic pathways favoring oxidative phosphorylation. Ecological interactions among bacteria in yMB were more antagonistic than in iMB hinting at more stable microbiome communities. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of intestinal mucosa revealed a salient shift of cellular phenotypes in the yMB group with markedly increased ATP synthesis and mitochondrial pathways in enterocytes and TA cells but reduced inflammatory signaling in macrophages. Taken together, we demonstrate that life-long and repeated transfer of microbiota material from young mice improved age-related processes including motor coordination, intestinal permeability and immune cell phenotypes.
Project description:Objectives: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is related to repeated upper airway collapse, intermittent hypoxia, and intestinal barrier dysfunction. The resulting damage to the intestinal barrier may affect or be affected by the intestinal microbiota. Methods: A prospective case-control was used, including 48 subjects from Sleep Medicine Center of Nanfang Hospital. Sleep apnea was diagnosed by overnight polysomnography. Fecal samples and blood samples were collected from subjects to detect intestinal microbiome composition (by 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing) and intestinal barrier biomarkers – intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) and D-lactic acid (D-LA) (by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively). Results: The severity of OSA was related to differences in the structure and composition of the intestinal microbiome. Enriched Fusobacterium, Megamonasa, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_006, and reduced Anaerostipes was found in patients with severe OSA. Enriched Ruminococcus_2, Lachnoclostridium, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_006, and Alloprevotella was found in patients with high intestinal barrier biomarkers. Lachnoclostridium and Lachnospiraceae_UCG_006 were the common dominant bacteria of OSA and intestinal barrier damage. Fusobacterium and Peptoclostridium was independently associated with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The dominant genera of severe OSA were also related to glucose, lipid, neutrophils, monocytes and BMI. Network analysis identified links between the intestinal microbiome, intestinal barrier biomarkers, and AHI. Conclusions: The study confirms that changes in the intestinal microbiota are related to intestinal barrier biomarkers among patients in OSA. These changes may play a pathophysiological role in the systemic inflammation and metabolic comorbidities associated with OSA, leading to multi-organ morbidity of OSA.
Project description:IL-17 and IL-17R signaling in the intestinal epithelium regulate the intestinal microbiome. Given the reported links between intestinal dysbiosis, bacterial translocation, and liver disease, we hypothesized that intestinal IL-17R signaling plays a critical role in mitigating hepatic inflammation. To test this, we studied intestinal epithelial-specific IL-17RA deficient mice in a model of concanavalin A hepatitis. Absence of enteric IL-17RA signaling exacerbated hepatitis and hepatocyte cell death. These mice exhibited commensal dysbiosis, increased intestinal and liver Il18, and increased liver translocation of bacterial products, specifically CpG DNA. Mechanistically, CpG DNA induced hepatic IL-18, increasing IFNγ and FasL in hepatic T-cells to drive inflammation. Thus, intestinal IL-17R regulates translocation of TLR9 ligands and constrains susceptibility to hepatitis. These data connect enteric Th17 signaling and the microbiome in hepatitis, with broader implications on the effects of impaired intestinal immunity and subsequent release of microbial products seen in other extra-intestinal pathologies.
Project description:The intestinal microbiome was examined from fecal pellets of animals with genetic targeting of the BTLA inhibitory receptor and the TNFR superfamily member HVEM, or in animals treated with agonist antibodies specific for BTLA.
Project description:With annually 2.56 million deaths worldwide, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death. Most frequent causative pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus. Lately, the interaction between pathogens, the host and its microbiome gained more attention. A healthy microbiome is known to enhance the immune response towards pathogens, however, our knowledge on how infections affect the microbiome is still scarce. In this study, a meta-omics approach was used to investigate the impact of S. pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection on structure and function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microbiomes of mice. In particular, the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome was less affected by bacterial colonization and viral infection compared to S. pneumoniae infection. Pneumococcal pneumonia led to reduction of bacterial families and lower diversity in the respiratory microbiome, whereas diversity/richness was unaffected following H1N1 infection. Within the gastrointestinal microbiome we found exclusive changes in structure and function depending on the pneumonia inducing pathogen. Exemplarily, increased abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Spirochaetaceae, as well as decreased amounts of Clostridiaceae in response to S. pneumoniae infection, while increased presence of Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae was specific for viral-induced pneumonia. Investigation of the intestinal microbiomes functional composition revealed reduced expression of flagellin and rubrerythrin and increased levels of ATPase during pneumococcal infection, while increased amounts of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and, enoyl-CoA transferase were unique after H1N1 infection. The identification of specific taxonomical and functional profiles during infection with a respective pathogen could deliver new insights in the role of the microbiome during disease and be beneficial for discrimination of pneumococcal- or viral-induced pneumonia.
Project description:With annually 2.56 million deaths worldwide, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death. Most frequent causative pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus. Lately, the interaction between pathogens, the host and its microbiome gained more attention. A healthy microbiome is known to enhance the immune response towards pathogens, however, our knowledge on how infections affect the microbiome is still scarce. In this study, a meta-omics approach was used to investigate the impact of S. pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection on structure and function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microbiomes of mice. In particular, the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome was less affected by bacterial colonization and viral infection compared to S. pneumoniae infection. Pneumococcal pneumonia led to reduction of bacterial families and lower diversity in the respiratory microbiome, whereas diversity/richness was unaffected following H1N1 infection. Within the gastrointestinal microbiome we found exclusive changes in structure and function depending on the pneumonia inducing pathogen. Exemplarily, increased abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Spirochaetaceae, as well as decreased amounts of Clostridiaceae in response to S. pneumoniae infection, while increased presence of Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae was specific for viral-induced pneumonia. Investigation of the intestinal microbiomes functional composition revealed reduced expression of flagellin and rubrerythrin and increased levels of ATPase during pneumococcal infection, while increased amounts of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and, enoyl-CoA transferase were unique after H1N1 infection. The identification of specific taxonomical and functional profiles during infection with a respective pathogen could deliver new insights in the role of the microbiome during disease and be beneficial for discrimination of pneumococcal- or viral-induced pneumonia.
Project description:With annually 2.56 million deaths worldwide, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death. Most frequent causative pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus. Lately, the interaction between pathogens, the host and its microbiome gained more attention. A healthy microbiome is known to enhance the immune response towards pathogens, however, our knowledge on how infections affect the microbiome is still scarce. In this study, a meta-omics approach was used to investigate the impact of S. pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection on structure and function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microbiomes of mice. In particular, the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome was less affected by bacterial colonization and viral infection compared to S. pneumoniae infection. Pneumococcal pneumonia led to reduction of bacterial families and lower diversity in the respiratory microbiome, whereas diversity/richness was unaffected following H1N1 infection. Within the gastrointestinal microbiome we found exclusive changes in structure and function depending on the pneumonia inducing pathogen. Exemplarily, increased abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Spirochaetaceae, as well as decreased amounts of Clostridiaceae in response to S. pneumoniae infection, while increased presence of Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae was specific for viral-induced pneumonia. Investigation of the intestinal microbiomes functional composition revealed reduced expression of flagellin and rubrerythrin and increased levels of ATPase during pneumococcal infection, while increased amounts of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and, enoyl-CoA transferase were unique after H1N1 infection. The identification of specific taxonomical and functional profiles during infection with a respective pathogen could deliver new insights in the role of the microbiome during disease and be beneficial for discrimination of pneumococcal- or viral-induced pneumonia.
Project description:With annually 2.56 million deaths worldwide, pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death. Most frequent causative pathogens are Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus. Lately, the interaction between pathogens, the host and its microbiome gained more attention. A healthy microbiome is known to enhance the immune response towards pathogens, however, our knowledge on how infections affect the microbiome is still scarce. In this study, a meta-omics approach was used to investigate the impact of S. pneumoniae and influenza A virus infection on structure and function of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microbiomes of mice. In particular, the taxonomic composition of the respiratory microbiome was less affected by bacterial colonization and viral infection compared to S. pneumoniae infection. Pneumococcal pneumonia led to reduction of bacterial families and lower diversity in the respiratory microbiome, whereas diversity/richness was unaffected following H1N1 infection. Within the gastrointestinal microbiome we found exclusive changes in structure and function depending on the pneumonia inducing pathogen. Exemplarily, increased abundance of Akkermansiaceae and Spirochaetaceae, as well as decreased amounts of Clostridiaceae in response to S. pneumoniae infection, while increased presence of Enterococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae was specific for viral-induced pneumonia. Investigation of the intestinal microbiomes functional composition revealed reduced expression of flagellin and rubrerythrin and increased levels of ATPase during pneumococcal infection, while increased amounts of acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and, enoyl-CoA transferase were unique after H1N1 infection. The identification of specific taxonomical and functional profiles during infection with a respective pathogen could deliver new insights in the role of the microbiome during disease and be beneficial for discrimination of pneumococcal- or viral-induced pneumonia.