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Natural Green Spaces, Sensitization to Allergens, and the Role of Gut Microbiota during Infancy. mSystems 2023; 8:e0119022. [PMID: 36790181 PMCID: PMC10134798 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.01190-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The environment plays an instrumental role in the developmental origins of health and disease. Protective features of the environment in the development of asthma and atopy have been insufficiently studied. We used data from the CHILD (Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development) Cohort Study to examine relationships between living near natural green spaces in early infancy in Edmonton, AB, Canada and the development of atopic sensitization at 1 year and 3 years of age in a cohort of 699 infants, and whether these associations were mediated by infant gut microbiota (measured using 16s V4 amplicon sequencing) at 4 months. The Urban Planning Land Vegetation Index (uPLVI) map of the City of Edmonton was used to assess infants' exposure to natural spaces based on their home postal codes, and atopic sensitization was assessed using skin prink testing (SPTs) for common food and inhalant allergens. Our findings suggest there is a protective effect of natural green space proximity on the development of multiple inhalant atopic sensitizations at 3 years (odds ratio = 0.28 [95% CI 0.09, 0.90]). This relationship was mediated by changes to Actinobacteria diversity in infant fecal samples taken at 4 months. We also found a positive association between nature proximity and sensitization to at least one food or inhaled allergen; this association was not mediated by gut microbiota. Together, these findings underscore the importance of promoting natural urban greenspace preservation to improve child health by reducing atopic disease susceptibility. IMPORTANCE Our findings highlight the importance of preserving natural green space in urban settings to prevent sensitization to environmental allergens and promote early-life gut microbiota pathways to this health benefit. These findings support a mediating role of gut microbiome compositions in health and disease susceptibility. This study used unique, accurate, and comprehensive methodology to classify natural space exposure via a high-resolution topographical map of foliage subtypes within the City of Edmonton limits. These methods are improvements from other methods previously used to classify natural space exposure, such as the normalized density vegetation index from satellite imagery, which is not able to distinguish anthropogenic from green space. The use of these methods and the associations found between natural green space exposure and atopic sensitization outcomes support their use in future studies. Our findings also provide many avenues for future research including longer term follow up of this cohort and investigation of a causal role of reduced Actinobacteria diversity on atopic sensitization development.
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Ndungo E, Holm JB, Gama S, Buchwald AG, Tennant SM, Laufer MK, Pasetti MF, Rasko DA. Dynamics of the Gut Microbiome in Shigella-Infected Children during the First Two Years of Life. mSystems 2022; 7:e0044222. [PMID: 36121169 PMCID: PMC9600951 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00442-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigella continues to be a major contributor to diarrheal illness and dysentery in children younger than 5 years of age in low- and middle-income countries. Strategies for the prevention of shigellosis have focused on enhancing adaptive immunity. The interaction between Shigella and intrinsic host factors, such as the microbiome, remains unknown. We hypothesized that Shigella infection would impact the developing microbial community in infancy and, conversely, that changes in the gastrointestinal microbiome may predispose infections. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the gastrointestinal microbiota in a longitudinal birth cohort from Malawi that was monitored for Shigella infection using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Children with at least one Shigella quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) positive sample during the first 2 years of life (cases) were compared to uninfected controls that were matched for sex and age. Overall, the microbial species diversity, as measured by the Shannon diversity index, increased over time, regardless of case status. At early time points, the microbial community was dominated by Bifidobacterium longum and Escherichia/Shigella. A greater abundance of Prevotella 9 and Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense was observed at 2 years of age. While no single species was associated with susceptibility to Shigella infection, significant increases in Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 and Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans were observed following Shigella infection. Both taxa are in the family Lachnospiraceae, which are known short-chain fatty acid producers that may improve gut health. Our findings identified temporal changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota associated with Shigella infection in Malawian children and highlight the need to further elucidate the microbial communities associated with disease susceptibility and resolution. IMPORTANCE Shigella causes more than 180 million cases of diarrhea globally, mostly in children living in poor regions. Infection can lead to severe health impairments that reduce quality of life. There is increasing evidence that disruptions in the gut microbiome early in life can influence susceptibility to illnesses. A delayed or impaired reconstitution of the microbiota following infection can further impact overall health. Aiming to improve our understanding of the interaction between Shigella and the developing infant microbiome, we investigated changes in the gut microbiome of Shigella-infected and uninfected children over the course of their first 2 years of life. We identified species that may be involved in recovery from Shigella infection and in driving the microbiota back to homeostasis. These findings support future studies into the elucidation of the interaction between the microbiota and enteric pathogens in young children and into the identification of potential targets for prevention or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Ndungo
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Johanna B. Holm
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Syze Gama
- Blantyre Malaria Project, University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Andrea G. Buchwald
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sharon M. Tennant
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Miriam K. Laufer
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Marcela F. Pasetti
- Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David A. Rasko
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ding M, Zheng Y, Liu F, Tian F, Ross RP, Stanton C, Yu R, Zhao J, Zhang H, Yang B, Chen W. Lactation time influences the composition of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus at species level in human breast milk. Benef Microbes 2022; 13:319-330. [PMID: 35979712 DOI: 10.3920/bm2021.0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Human breast milk is a source of microorganisms for infants that play an important role in building infant gut health and immunity. The bacterial composition in human breast milk is influenced by lactation time. This study aimed to investigate the influence of lactation time on bacteria in breast milk at the genus level and the species levels of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus on days 2-4, 8, 14, and 30. Eighteen individuals were recruited and 60 milk samples were collected. The 16S rRNA gene, and the bifidobacterial groEL and lactobacilli groEL genes were used for amplicon sequencing. The results revealed that the alpha diversities of colostrum and transition 1 (day 8) milk were lower than that of transition 2 (day 14) and mature milk. PCoA analysis showed that bacterial composition in colostrum and transition 1 milk differed from transition 2 and mature milk. A lower relative abundance of Blautia was found in colostrum and transition 1 milk compared with mature milk and lower abundances of Ruminococcus, Dorea, and Escherichia-Shigella were found in transition 1 compared with mature milk. Bifidobacterium ruminantium, Limosilactobacillus mucosae, and Ligilactobacillus ruminis were the predominant species across all four lactation stages, while Bifidobacterium bifidum was lower in transition 1, and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum were higher in transition 1 milk. This study indicated that the bacterial composition in colostrum was more similar to that of transition 1 milk, whereas the bacterial community in transition 2 milk was similar to that of mature milk which suggests that bacterial composition in human breast milk shows stage-specific signatures even within a short period at both genus level and Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species levels, providing insights into probiotic supplementation for the nursing mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R
| | - Y Zheng
- H&H Global Research and Technology Center, Guangzhou, China P.R
| | - F Liu
- H&H Global Research and Technology Center, Guangzhou, China P.R
| | - F Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R
| | - R P Ross
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - C Stanton
- International Joint Research Center for Probiotics & Gut Health, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Cork P61 C996, Ireland
| | - R Yu
- Department of Neonatology, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University,48 Huaishu Alley, Liangxi District, Wuxi, 214002, China P.R
| | - J Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R
| | - H Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R.,National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,Wuxi Translational Medicine Research Center and Jiangsu Translational Medicine Research Institute Wuxi Branch, Wuxi, China P.R
| | - B Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R.,H&H Global Research and Technology Center, Guangzhou, China P.R
| | - W Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R.,School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi 214122 Jiangsu, China P.R.,National Engineering Research Center for Functional Food, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China P.R
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Kaczmarczyk M, Löber U, Adamek K, Węgrzyn D, Skonieczna-Żydecka K, Malinowski D, Łoniewski I, Markó L, Ulas T, Forslund SK, Łoniewska B. The gut microbiota is associated with the small intestinal paracellular permeability and the development of the immune system in healthy children during the first two years of life. J Transl Med 2021; 19:177. [PMID: 33910577 PMCID: PMC8082808 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02839-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The intestinal barrier plays an important role in the defense against infections, and nutritional, endocrine, and immune functions. The gut microbiota playing an important role in development of the gastrointestinal tract can impact intestinal permeability and immunity during early life, but data concerning this problem are scarce. METHODS We analyzed the microbiota in fecal samples (101 samples in total) collected longitudinally over 24 months from 21 newborns to investigate whether the markers of small intestinal paracellular permeability (zonulin) and immune system development (calprotectin) are linked to the gut microbiota. The results were validated using data from an independent cohort that included the calprotectin and gut microbiota in children during the first year of life. RESULTS Zonulin levels tended to increase for up to 6 months after childbirth and stabilize thereafter remaining at a high level while calprotectin concentration was high after childbirth and began to decline from 6 months of life. The gut microbiota composition and the related metabolic potentials changed during the first 2 years of life and were correlated with zonulin and calprotectin levels. Faecal calprotectin correlated inversely with alpha diversity (Shannon index, r = - 0.30, FDR P (Q) = 0.039). It also correlated with seven taxa; i.a. negatively with Ruminococcaceae (r = - 0.34, Q = 0.046), and Clostridiales (r = - 0.34, Q = 0.048) and positively with Staphylococcus (r = 0.38, Q = 0.023) and Staphylococcaceae (r = 0.35, Q = 0.04), whereas zonulin correlated with 19 taxa; i.a. with Bacillales (r = - 0.52, Q = 0.0004), Clostridiales (r = 0.48, Q = 0.001) and the Ruminococcus (torques group) (r = 0.40, Q = 0.026). When time intervals were considered only changes in abundance of the Ruminococcus (torques group) were associated with changes in calprotectin (β = 2.94, SE = 0.8, Q = 0.015). The dynamics of stool calprotectin was negatively associated with changes in two MetaCyc pathways: pyruvate fermentation to butanoate (β = - 4.54, SE = 1.08, Q = 0.028) and Clostridium acetobutylicum fermentation (β = - 4.48, SE = 1.16, Q = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS The small intestinal paracellular permeability, immune system-related markers and gut microbiota change dynamically during the first 2 years of life. The Ruminococcus (torques group) seems to be especially involved in controlling paracellular permeability. Staphylococcus, Staphylococcaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Clostridiales, may be potential biomarkers of the immune system. Despite observed correlations their clear causation and health consequences were not proven. Mechanistic studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Kaczmarczyk
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ulrike Löber
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karolina Adamek
- Department of Neonatal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Dagmara Węgrzyn
- Department of Neonatal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Damian Malinowski
- Department of Pharmacology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Igor Łoniewski
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 71-460, Szczecin, Poland.
- Department of Human Nutrition and Metabolomics, Broniewskiego 24, 71-460, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Lajos Markó
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Ulas
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127, Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sofia K Forslund
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, A Cooperation of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), 10178, Berlin, Germany
- Systems Medicine, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127, Bonn, Germany
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Structural and Computational Biology Unit, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beata Łoniewska
- Department of Neonatal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
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