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Gholamzad A, Khakpour N, Hashemi SMA, Goudarzi Y, Ahmadi P, Gholamzad M, Mohammadi M, Hashemi M. Exploring the virome: An integral part of human health and disease. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155466. [PMID: 39053136 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The human microbiome is a complex network of microorganisms that includes viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The gut virome is an essential component of the immune system, which is responsible for regulating the growth and responses of the host's immune system. The virome maintains a crucial role in the development of numerous diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. The human virome has emerged as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target. This comprehensive review summarizes the present understanding of the virome and its implications in matters of health and disease, with a focus on the Human Microbiome Project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Gholamzad
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Niloofar Khakpour
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Hashemi
- Department of Bacteriology and Virology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Yalda Goudarzi
- Department of Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parisa Ahmadi
- Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Gholamzad
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mahya Mohammadi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mehrdad Hashemi
- Farhikhtegan Medical Convergence Sciences Research Center, Farhikhtegan Hospital Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology ,Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Pargin E, Roach MJ, Skye A, Papudeshi B, Inglis LK, Mallawaarachchi V, Grigson SR, Harker C, Edwards RA, Giles SK. The human gut virome: composition, colonization, interactions, and impacts on human health. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:963173. [PMID: 37293229 PMCID: PMC10244655 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.963173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut virome is an incredibly complex part of the gut ecosystem. Gut viruses play a role in many disease states, but it is unknown to what extent the gut virome impacts everyday human health. New experimental and bioinformatic approaches are required to address this knowledge gap. Gut virome colonization begins at birth and is considered unique and stable in adulthood. The stable virome is highly specific to each individual and is modulated by varying factors such as age, diet, disease state, and use of antibiotics. The gut virome primarily comprises bacteriophages, predominantly order Crassvirales, also referred to as crAss-like phages, in industrialized populations and other Caudoviricetes (formerly Caudovirales). The stability of the virome's regular constituents is disrupted by disease. Transferring the fecal microbiome, including its viruses, from a healthy individual can restore the functionality of the gut. It can alleviate symptoms of chronic illnesses such as colitis caused by Clostridiodes difficile. Investigation of the virome is a relatively novel field, with new genetic sequences being published at an increasing rate. A large percentage of unknown sequences, termed 'viral dark matter', is one of the significant challenges facing virologists and bioinformaticians. To address this challenge, strategies include mining publicly available viral datasets, untargeted metagenomic approaches, and utilizing cutting-edge bioinformatic tools to quantify and classify viral species. Here, we review the literature surrounding the gut virome, its establishment, its impact on human health, the methods used to investigate it, and the viral dark matter veiling our understanding of the gut virome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sarah K. Giles
- Flinders Accelerator for Microbiome Exploration, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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Dickerson F, Dilmore AH, Godoy-Vitorino F, Nguyen TT, Paulus M, Pinto-Tomas AA, Moya-Roman C, Zuniga-Chaves I, Severance EG, Jeste DV. The Microbiome and Mental Health Across the Lifespan. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2023; 61:119-140. [PMID: 35947353 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The combined genetic material of the microorganisms in the human body, known as the microbiome, is being increasingly recognized as a major determinant of human health and disease. Although located predominantly on mucosal surfaces, these microorganisms have profound effects on brain functioning through the gut-brain axis. METHOD The content of the chapter is based on a study group session at the annual meeting of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP). The objective was to discuss the emerging relationship between the human microbiome and mental health as relevant to ACNP's interests in developing and evaluating novel neuropsychiatric treatment strategies. The focus is on specific brain disorders, such as schizophrenia, substance use, and Alzheimer's disease, as well as on broader clinical issues such as suicidality, loneliness and wisdom in old age, and longevity. RESULTS Studies of schizophrenia indicate that the microbiome of individuals with this disorder differs from that of non-psychiatric comparison groups in terms of diversity and composition. Differences are also found in microbial metabolic pathways. An early study in substance use disorders found that individuals with this disorder have lower levels of beta diversity in their oral microbiome than a comparison group. This measure, along with others, was used to distinguish individuals with substance use disorders from controls. In terms of suicidality, there is preliminary evidence that persons who have made a suicide attempt differ from psychiatric and non-psychiatric comparison groups in measures of beta diversity. Exploratory studies in Alzheimer's disease indicate that gut microbes may contribute to disease pathogenesis by regulating innate immunity and neuroinflammation and thus influencing brain function. In another study looking at the microbiome in older adults, positive associations were found between wisdom and alpha diversity and negative associations with subjective loneliness. In other studies of older adults, here with a focus on longevity, individuals with healthy aging and unusually long lives had an abundance of specific microorganisms which distinguished them from other individuals. DISCUSSION Future studies would benefit from standardizing methods of sample collection, processing, and analysis. There is also a need for the standardized collection of relevant demographic and clinical data, including diet, medications, cigarette smoking, and other potentially confounding factors. While still in its infancy, research to date indicates a role for the microbiome in mental health disorders and conditions. Interventions are available which can modulate the microbiome and lead to clinical improvements. These include microbiome-altering medications as well as probiotic microorganisms capable of modulating the inflammation in the brain through the gut-brain axis. This research holds great promise in terms of developing new methods for the prevention and treatment of a range of human brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faith Dickerson
- Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Amanda Hazel Dilmore
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Tanya T Nguyen
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Martin Paulus
- Laureate Institute for Brain Research, Tulsa, OK, USA
| | | | | | - Ibrahim Zuniga-Chaves
- Department of Bacteriology, Microbial Doctoral Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Emily G Severance
- Stanley Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dilip V Jeste
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
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