Capsular polysaccharide correlates with immune response to the human gut microbe Ruminococcus gnavus

Ruminococcus gnavus in the gut: driver, contributor, or innocent bystander in steatotic liver disease?

The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in regulating intestinal and systemic health, impacting host immune response and metabolic function. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome is linked to various diseases, including steatotic liver diseases. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a chronic liver disease characterized by excess hepatic lipid content and impaired metabolism, is the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Among the gut microbes, Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) has garnered attention for its association with inflammatory and metabolic diseases. While R. gnavus abundance correlates to liver fat accumulation, further research is needed to identify a causal role or therapeutic intervention in steatotic liver disease. This review surveys our current understanding of R. gnavus in the development and progression of steatotic liver diseases, highlighting its potential mechanisms through metabolite secretion, and emphasizes the need for comprehensive microbiome analyses and longitudinal studies to better understand R. gnavus' impact on liver health. This knowledge could pave the way for targeted interventions aimed at modulating gut microbiota to treat and prevent MASLD and its comorbidities.

Microbiome and Hemato-immune Aging

The microbiome is a highly complex and diverse symbiotic component that undergoes dynamic changes with the organismal aging. Microbial perturbations, termed dysbiosis, exert strong influence on dysregulating the bone marrow niche and subsequently promoting the aging of hematopoietic and immune system. Accumulating studies have revealed the substantial impact of intestinal microbiome on the initiation and progression of age-related hematologic alteration and diseases, such as clonal hematopoiesis and blood cancers. Current therapeutic approaches to restore the altered microbiome diversity target specific pathobionts and are demonstrated to improve clinical outcomes of antihematologic malignancy treatments. In this review, we discuss the interplay between the microbiome and the hemato-immune system during aging process. We also shed light on the emerging therapeutic strategies to tackle the dysbiosis for amelioration of aging and disease progression.

Chemical genetic approaches to dissect microbiota mechanisms in health and disease

Advances in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have revealed associations between specific microbiota species in health and disease. However, the precise mechanism(s) of action for many microbiota species and molecules have not been fully elucidated, limiting the development of microbiota-based diagnostics and therapeutics. In this Review, we highlight innovative chemical and genetic approaches that are enabling the dissection of microbiota mechanisms and providing causation in health and disease. Although specific microbiota molecules and mechanisms have begun to emerge, new approaches are still needed to go beyond phenotypic associations and translate microbiota discoveries into actionable targets and therapeutic leads to prevent and treat diseases.

Host-pathobiont interactions in Crohn's disease

The mammalian intestine is colonized by trillions of microorganisms that are collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. The majority of symbionts have co-evolved with their host in a mutualistic relationship that benefits both. Under certain conditions, such as in Crohn's disease, a subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, some symbionts bloom to cause disease in genetically susceptible hosts. Although the identity and function of disease-causing microorganisms or pathobionts in Crohn's disease remain largely unknown, mounting evidence from animal models suggests that pathobionts triggering Crohn's disease-like colitis inhabit certain niches and penetrate the intestinal tissue to trigger inflammation. In this Review, we discuss the distinct niches occupied by intestinal symbionts and the evidence that pathobionts triggering Crohn's disease live in the mucus layer or near the intestinal epithelium. We also discuss how Crohn's disease-associated mutations in the host disrupt intestinal homeostasis by promoting the penetration and accumulation of pathobionts in the intestinal tissue. Finally, we discuss the potential role of microbiome-based interventions in precision therapeutic strategies for the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Gut microbiota and interstitial cystitis: exploring the gut-bladder axis through mendelian randomization, biological annotation and bulk RNA sequencing

Background

Several observational studies have indicated an association between interstitial cystitis and the composition of the gut microbiota; however, the causality and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Understanding the link between gut microbiota and interstitial cystitis could inform strategies for prevention and treatment.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using published genome-wide association study summary statistics. We employed inverse variance weighted, weighted mode, MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and cML-MA methods to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and interstitial cystitis. Sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the results. Relevant gut microbiota was examined through reverse MR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were annotated using FUMA to identify genes associated with these genetic variants, thereby revealing potential host gene-microbiota associations in interstitial cystitis patients.

Results

Eight bacterial taxa were identified in our analysis as associated with interstitial cystitis. Among these, Butyricimonas, Coprococcus, Lactobacillales, Lentisphaerae, and Bilophila wadsworthia were positively correlated with interstitial cystitis risk, while taxa such as Desulfovibrio piger, Oscillibacter unclassified and Ruminococcus lactaris exhibited protective effects against interstitial cystitis. The robustness of these associations was confirmed through sensitivity analyses. Reverse MR analysis did not reveal evidence of reverse causality. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were annotated using FUMA and subjected to biological analysis. Seven hub genes (SPTBN1, PSME4, CHAC2, ERLEC1, ASB3, STAT5A, and STAT3) were identified as differentially expressed between interstitial cystitis patients and healthy individuals, representing potential therapeutic targets.

Conclusion

Our two-sample Mendelian randomization study established a causal relationship between gut microbiota and interstitial cystitis. Furthermore, our identification of a host gene-microbiota association offers a new avenue for investigating the potential pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis and suggests avenues for the development of personalized treatment strategies.

The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in IBD

Gut microbiota dysbiosis has a critical role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, prompting the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches like fecal microbiota transplantation, which involves the transfer of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to a recipient with the aim of restoring a balanced microbial community and attenuating inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation may exert beneficial effects in inflammatory bowel disease through modulation of immune responses, restoration of mucosal barrier integrity, and alteration of microbial metabolites. It could alter disease course and prevent flares, although long-term durability and safety data are lacking. This review provides a summary of current evidence on fecal microbiota transplantation in inflammatory bowel disease management, focusing on its challenges, such as variability in donor selection criteria, standardization of transplant protocols, and long-term outcomes post-transplantation.

Insights from metagenomics into gut microbiome associated with acute coronary syndrome therapy

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a predominant cause of mortality, and the prompt and precise identification of this condition is crucial to minimize its impact. Recent research indicates that gut microbiota is associated with the onset, progression, and treatment of ACS. To investigate its role, we sequenced the gut microbiota of 38 ACS patients before and after percutaneous coronary intervention and statin therapy at three time points, examining differential species and metabolic pathways. We observed a decrease in the abundance of Parabacteroides, Escherichia, and Blautia in patients after treatment and an increase in the abundance of Gemalla, Klebsiella variicola, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and others. Two pathways related to sugar degradation were more abundant in patients before treatment, possibly correlated with disorders of sugar metabolism and risk factors, such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and insufficient insulin secretion. Additionally, seven pathways related to the biosynthesis of vitamin K2 and its homolog were reduced after treatment, suggesting that ACS patients may gradually recover after therapy. The gut microbiota of patients treated with different statins exhibited notable differences after treatment. Rosuvastatin appeared to promote the growth of anti-inflammatory bacteria while reducing pro-inflammatory bacteria, whereas atorvastatin may have mixed effects on pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory bacteria while increasing the abundance of Bacteroides. Our research will provide valuable insights and enhance comprehension of ACS, leading to better patient diagnosis and therapy.

The mouse epididymal amyloid matrix is a mammalian counterpart of a bacterial biofilm

The mouse epididymis is a long tubule connecting the testis to the vas deferens. Its primary functions are to mature spermatozoa into motile and fertile cells and to protect them from pathogens that ascend the male tract. We previously demonstrated that a functional extracellular amyloid matrix surrounds spermatozoa in the epididymal lumen and has host defense functions, properties not unlike that of an extracellular biofilm that encloses and protects a bacterial community. Here we show the epididymal amyloid matrix also structurally resembles a biofilm by containing eDNA, eRNA, and mucin-like polysaccharides. Further these structural components exhibit comparable behaviors and perform functions such as their counterparts in bacterial biofilms. Our studies suggest that nature has used the ancient building blocks of bacterial biofilms to form an analogous structure that nurtures and protects the mammalian male germline.

Aqueous extract of fermented Eucommia ulmoides leaves alleviates hyperlipidemia by maintaining gut homeostasis and modulating metabolism in high-fat diet fed rats

BACKGROUND

As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, the lipid-lowing biological potential of Eucommia ulmoides leaves (EL) has been demonstrated. After fermentation, the EL have been made into various products with lipid-lowering effects and antioxidant activity. However, the anti-hyperlipidemic mechanism of fermented Eucommia ulmoides leaves (FEL) is unclear now.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of FEL on hyperlipidemia and investigate the mechanism based on regulating gut homeostasis and host metabolism.

METHODS

Hyperlipidemia animal model in Wistar rats was established after 8 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) fed. The administered doses of aqueous extract of FEL (FELE) were 128, 256 and 512 mg/kg/d, respectively. Serum biochemical parameters detection, histopathological sections analysis, 16S rDNA sequencing of gut microbiota and untargeted fecal metabolomics analysis, were performed to determine the therapeutic effects and predict related pathways of FELE on hyperlipidemia. The changes of proteins and genes elated to lipid were detected by Immunofluorescence (IF) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

56 Components in FELE were identified by UPLC-MS, with organic acids, flavonoids and phenolic acids accounting for the majority. The intervention of FELE significantly reduced the body weight, lipid accumulation and the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in hyperlipidemia rats, while increased the level of High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Meanwhile, FELE improved the inflammatory makers and oxidative stress factors, which is tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT). These results demonstrated that FETE can effectively reduce blood lipids and alleviate inflammation and oxidative damage caused by hyperlipidemia. Mechanistically, FELE restore the homeostasis of gut microbiota by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increasing the abundance of probiotics, especially Lactobacillus, Rombousia, Bacteroides, Roseburia, Clostridia_UCG-014_Unclassified, while modulated metabolism through amino acid, bile acid and lipid-related metabolism pathways. In addition, the Pearson correlation analysis found that the upregulated bilirubin, threonine, dopamine and downregulated lipocholic acid, d-sphingosine were key metabolites after FELE intervention. IF and qRT-PCR analysis showed that FELE upregulated the expression of fatty acid oxidation proteins and genes (PPARα, CPT1A), bile acid synthesis and excretion proteins and genes (LXRα, CYP7A1, FXR), and downregulated the expression of adipogenic gene (SREBP-1c) by regulating gut microbiota to improve metabolism and exert a lipid-lowering effect.

CONCLUSION

This work filled the lipid-lowering mechanism gap of FEL. FELE can improve HFD-induced hyperlipidemia by regulating the gut microbiota homeostasis and metabolism. Thus, FEL has the potential to develop into the novel raw material of lipid-lowering drugs.

Challenges in IBD Research 2024: Preclinical Human IBD Mechanisms

Preclinical human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mechanisms is one of 5 focus areas of the Challenges in IBD Research 2024 document, which also includes environmental triggers, novel technologies, precision medicine, and pragmatic clinical research. Herein, we provide a comprehensive overview of current gaps in inflammatory bowel diseases research that relate to preclinical research and deliver actionable approaches to address them with a focus on how these gaps can lead to advancements in IBD interception, remission, and restoration. The document is the result of multidisciplinary input from scientists, clinicians, patients, and funders and represents a valuable resource for patient-centric research prioritization. This preclinical human IBD mechanisms section identifies major research gaps whose investigation will elucidate pathways and mechanisms that can be targeted to address unmet medical needs in IBD. Research gaps were identified in the following areas: genetics, risk alleles, and epigenetics; the microbiome; cell states and interactions; barrier function; IBD complications (specifically fibrosis and stricturing); and extraintestinal manifestations. To address these gaps, we share specific opportunities for investigation for basic and translational scientists and identify priority actions.

Environmental and Microbial Factors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Model Establishment: A Review Partly through Mendelian Randomization

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex condition resulting from environmental, microbial, immunologic, and genetic factors. With the advancement of Mendelian randomization research in IBD, we have gained new insights into the relationship between these factors and IBD. Many animal models of IBD have been developed using different methods, but few studies have attempted to model IBD by combining environmental factors and microbial factors. In this review, we examine how environmental factors and microbial factors affect the development and progression of IBD, and how they interact with each other and with the intestinal microbiota. We also summarize the current methods for creating animal models of IBD and compare their advantages and disadvantages. Based on the latest findings from Mendelian randomization studies on the role of environmental factors in IBD, we discuss which environmental and microbial factors could be used to construct a more realistic and reliable IBD experimental model. We propose that animal models of IBD should consider both environmental and microbial factors to better mimic human IBD pathogenesis and to reveal the underlying mechanisms of IBD at the immune and genetic levels. We highlight the importance of environmental and microbial factors in IBD pathogenesis and offer new perspectives and suggestions for improving experimental animal modeling. Our goal is to create a model that closely resembles the clinical picture of IBD.

Feruloylated Oligosaccharides Prevented Influenza-Induced Lung Inflammation via the RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF3 Pathway

Uncontrolled inflammation contributes significantly to the mortality in acute respiratory infections. Our previous research has demonstrated that maize bran feruloylated oligosaccharides (FOs) possess notable anti-inflammatory properties linked to the NF-kB pathway regulation. In this study, we clarified that the oral administration of FOs moderately inhibited H1N1 virus infection and reduced lung inflammation in influenza-infected mice by decreasing a wide spectrum of cytokines (IFN-α, IFN-β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-23) in the lungs. The mechanism involves FOs suppressing the transduction of the RIG-I/MAVS/TRAF3 signaling pathway, subsequently lowering the expression of NF-κB. In silico analysis suggests that FOs have a greater binding affinity for the RIG-I/MAVS signaling complex. This indicates that FOs have potential as promising targets for immune modulation. Moreover, in MAVS knockout mice, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory function of FOs against influenza depends on MAVS. Comprehensive analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolite profiling techniques showed that FOs have the potential to restore immunity by modulating the gut microbiota. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that FOs are effective anti-inflammatory phytochemicals in inhibiting lung inflammation caused by influenza. This suggests that FOs could serve as a potential nutritional strategy for preventing the H1N1 virus infection and associated lung inflammation.

Gut microbiota alterations are associated with phenotype and genotype in familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVE

FMF is the most common monogenic autoinflammatory disease associated with MEFV mutations. Disease phenotype and response to treatment vary from one patient to another, despite similar genotype, suggesting the role of environmental factors. The objective of this study was to analyse the gut microbiota of a large cohort of FMF patients in relation to disease characteristics.

METHODS

The gut microbiotas of 119 FMF patients and 61 healthy controls were analysed using 16 s rRNA gene sequencing. Associations between bacterial taxa, clinical characteristics, and genotypes were evaluated using multivariable association with linear models (MaAslin2), adjusting on age, sex, genotype, presence of AA amyloidosis (n = 17), hepatopathy (n = 5), colchicine intake, colchicine resistance (n = 27), use of biotherapy (n = 10), CRP levels, and number of daily faeces. Bacterial network structures were also analysed.

RESULTS

The gut microbiotas of FMF patients differ from those of controls in having increased pro-inflammatory bacteria, such as the Enterobacter, Klebsiella and Ruminococcus gnavus group. Disease characteristics and resistance to colchicine correlated with homozygous mutations and were associated with specific microbiota alteration. Colchicine treatment was associated with the expansion of anti-inflammatory taxa such as Faecalibacterium and Roseburia, while FMF severity was associated with expansion of the Ruminococcus gnavus group and Paracoccus. Colchicine-resistant patients exhibited an alteration of the bacterial network structure, with decreased intertaxa connectivity.

CONCLUSION

The gut microbiota of FMF patients correlates with disease characteristics and severity, with an increase in pro-inflammatory taxa in the most severe patients. This suggests a specific role for the gut microbiota in shaping FMF outcomes and response to treatment.

Asiaticoside ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting inflammatory response, protecting intestinal barrier and regulating intestinal microecology

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of the most prevalent inflammatory bowel diseases and poses a serious threat to human health. Currently, safe and effective preventive measures are unavailable. In this study, the protective effects of asiaticoside (AS) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and the underlying molecular mechanism were investigated. In this experiment, colitis was induced in mice with DSS. Subsequently, the role of AS in colitis and its underlying mechanisms were examined using H&E staining, immunofluorescence staining, western blot, Elisa, FMT, and other assays. The results showed that AS significantly attenuated the related symptoms of DSS-induced colitis in mice. In addition, AS inhibited the activation of signaling pathways TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK reduced the release of inflammatory factors, thereby attenuating the inflammatory response in mice. AS administration also restored the permeability of the intestinal barrier by increasing the levels of tight junction-associated proteins (claudin-3, occludin, and ZO-1). In addition, AS rebalanced the intestinal flora of DSS-treated mice by increasing the diversity of the flora. AS can alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice by maintaining the intestinal barrier, thus inhibiting the signaling pathways TLR4/NF-κB and MAPK activation, reducing the release of inflammatory factors, and regulating intestinal microecology.

Gut Microbiome-Related Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Activation on Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The gut microbial population, the cytokine milieu, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) expressed by immune and nonimmune cells and the intrinsic pathway of Th-cell differentiation are implicated in the immunopathology of IBD. AHR activation requires a delicate balance between regulatory and effector T-cells; loss of this balance can cause local gut microbial dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation. Thus, the study of the gut microbiome in association with AHR provides critical insights into IBD pathogenesis and interventions. This review will focus on the recent advancements to form conceptional frameworks on the benefits of AHR activation by commensal gut bacteria in IBD.

The triangular relationship between traditional Chinese medicines, intestinal flora, and colorectal cancer

Over the past decade, colorectal cancer has reported a higher incidence in younger adults and a lower mortality rate. Recently, the influence of the intestinal flora in the initiation, progression, and treatment of colorectal cancer has been extensively studied, as well as their positive therapeutic impact on inflammation and the cancer microenvironment. Historically, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in the treatment of colorectal cancer via promoted cancer cell apoptosis, inhibited cancer metastasis, and reduced drug resistance and side effects. The present research is more on the effect of either herbal medicine or intestinal flora on colorectal cancer. The interactions between TCM and intestinal flora are bidirectional and the combined impacts of TCM and gut microbiota in the treatment of colon cancer should not be neglected. Therefore, this review discusses the role of intestinal bacteria in the progression and treatment of colorectal cancer by inhibiting carcinogenesis, participating in therapy, and assisting in healing. Then the complex anticolon cancer effects of different kinds of TCM monomers, TCM drug pairs, and traditional Chinese prescriptions embodied in apoptosis, metastasis, immune suppression, and drug resistance are summarized separately. In addition, the interaction between TCM and intestinal flora and the combined effect on cancer treatment were analyzed. This review provides a mechanistic reference for the application of TCM and intestinal flora in the clinical treatment of colorectal cancer and paves the way for the combined development and application of microbiome and TCM.

The gut microbiome in systemic lupus erythematosus: lessons from rheumatic fever

For more than a century, certain bacterial infections that can breach the skin and mucosal barriers have been implicated as common triggers of autoimmune syndromes, especially post-infection autoimmune diseases that include rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. However, only in the past few years has the importance of imbalances within our own commensal microbiota communities, and within the gut, in the absence of infection, in promoting autoimmune pathogenesis become fully appreciated. A diversity of species and mechanisms have been implicated, including disruption of the gut barrier. Emerging data suggest that expansions (or blooms) of pathobiont species are involved in autoimmune pathogenesis and stimulate clonal expansion of T cells and B cells that recognize microbial antigens. This Review discusses the relationship between the gut microbiome and the immune system, and the potential consequence of disrupting the community balance in terms of autoimmune development, focusing on systemic lupus erythematosus. Notably, inter-relationships between expansions of certain members within gut microbiota communities and concurrent autoimmune responses bear features reminiscent of classical post-infection autoimmune disease. From such insights, new therapeutic opportunities are being considered to restore the balance within microbiota communities or re-establishing the gut-barrier integrity to reinforce immune homeostasis in the host.

Microbial-derived imidazole propionate links the heart failure-associated microbiome alterations to disease severity

BACKGROUND

Interactions between the gut microbiota, diet, and host metabolism contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease, but a firm link between disease-specific gut microbiota alterations and circulating metabolites is lacking.

METHODS

We performed shot-gun sequencing on 235 samples from 166 HF patients and 69 healthy control samples. Separate plasma samples from healthy controls (n = 53) were used for the comparison of imidazole propionate (ImP) levels. Taxonomy and functional pathways for shotgun sequencing data was assigned using MetaPhlAn3 and HUMAnN3 pipelines.

RESULTS

Here, we show that heart failure (HF) is associated with a specific compositional and functional shift of the gut microbiota that is linked to circulating levels of the microbial histidine-derived metabolite ImP. Circulating ImP levels are elevated in chronic HF patients compared to controls and associated with HF-related gut microbiota alterations. Contrary to the microbiota composition, ImP levels provide insight into etiology and severity of HF and also associate with markers of intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings establish a connection between changes in the gut microbiota, the presence, etiology, and severity of HF, and the gut-microbially produced metabolite ImP. While ImP appears promising as a circulating biomarker reflecting gut dysbiosis related to HF, further studies are essential to demonstrate its causal or contributing role in HF pathogenesis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT02637167, registered December 22, 2015.

Dietary tryptophan and genetic susceptibility expand gut microbiota that promote systemic autoimmune activation

Tryptophan modulates disease activity and the composition of microbiota in the B6.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3 (TC) mouse model of lupus. To directly test the effect of tryptophan on the gut microbiome, we transplanted fecal samples from TC and B6 control mice into germ-free or antibiotic-treated non-autoimmune B6 mice that were fed with a high or low tryptophan diet. The recipient mice with TC microbiota and high tryptophan diet had higher levels of immune activation, autoantibody production and intestinal inflammation. A bloom of Ruminococcus gnavus (Rg), a bacterium associated with disease flares in lupus patients, only emerged in the recipients of TC microbiota fed with high tryptophan. Rg depletion in TC mice decreased autoantibody production and increased the frequency of regulatory T cells. Conversely, TC mice colonized with Rg showed higher autoimmune activation. Overall, these results suggest that the interplay of genetic and tryptophan can influence the pathogenesis of lupus through the gut microbiota.

Mechanism of Iron Ion Homeostasis in Intestinal Immunity and Gut Microbiota Remodeling

Iron is a vital trace element that plays an important role in humans and other organisms. It plays an active role in the growth, development, and reproduction of bacteria, such as Bifidobacteria. Iron deficiency or excess can negatively affect bacterial hosts. Studies have reported a major role of iron in the human intestine, which is necessary for maintaining body homeostasis and intestinal barrier function. Organisms can maintain their normal activities and regulate some cancer cells in the body by regulating iron excretion and iron-dependent ferroptosis. In addition, iron can modify the interaction between hosts and microorganisms by altering their growth and virulence or by affecting the immune system of the host. Lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus), and Lactobacillus casei (L. casei) were reported to increase trace elements, protect the host intestinal barrier, mitigate intestinal inflammation, and regulate immune function. This review article focuses on the two aspects of the iron and gut and generally summarizes the mechanistic role of iron ions in intestinal immunity and the remodeling of gut microbiota.

Causal effects of gut microbiota on sepsis and sepsis-related death: insights from genome-wide Mendelian randomization, single-cell RNA, bulk RNA sequencing, and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota alterations have been implicated in sepsis and related infectious diseases, but the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

We evaluated the association between gut microbiota composition and sepsis using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on published genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate the robustness of the results. Reverse MR analysis and integration of GWAS and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data were performed to identify potential genes and therapeutic targets.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified 11 causal bacterial taxa associated with sepsis, with increased abundance of six taxa showing positive causal relationships. Ten taxa had causal effects on the 28-day survival outcome of septic patients, with increased abundance of six taxa showing positive associations. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these associations. Reverse MR analysis did not provide evidence of reverse causality. Integration of GWAS and eQTL data revealed 76 genes passing the summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) test. Differential expression of these genes was observed between sepsis patients and healthy individuals. These genes represent potential therapeutic targets for sepsis. Molecular docking analysis predicted potential drug-target interactions, further supporting their therapeutic potential.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies for sepsis and offers preliminary candidate targets and drugs for future drug development.

Pathobionts in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Origins, Underlying Mechanisms, and Implications for Clinical Care

The gut microbiota plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of both forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), namely, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Although evidence suggests dysbiosis and loss of beneficial microbial species can exacerbate IBD, many new studies have identified microbes with pathogenic qualities, termed "pathobionts," within the intestines of patients with IBD. The concept of pathobionts initiating or driving the chronicity of IBD has largely focused on the putative aggravating role that adherent invasive Escherichia coli may play in CD. However, recent studies have identified additional bacterial and fungal pathobionts in patients with CD and UC. This review will highlight the characteristics of these pathobionts and their implications for IBD treatment. Beyond exploring the origins of pathobionts, we discuss those associated with specific clinical features and the potential mechanisms involved, such as creeping fat (Clostridium innocuum) and impaired wound healing (Debaryomyces hansenii) in patients with CD as well as the increased fecal proteolytic activity (Bacteroides vulgatus) seen as a biomarker for UC severity. Finally, we examine the potential impact of pathobionts on current IBD therapies, and several new approaches to target pathobionts currently in the early stages of development. Despite recognizing that pathobionts likely contribute to the pathogenesis of IBD, more work is needed to define their modes of action. Determining whether causal relationships exist between pathobionts and specific disease characteristics could pave the way for improved care for patients, particularly for those not responding to current IBD therapies.

Mediation of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in the Relationship between Specific Gut Microbiota and Cognition in Vascular Cognitive Impairment

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota could affect the onset and development of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) through modulating metabolic and immune pathways. However, the vascular mechanisms involved remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the gut microbiota associated with VCI and examine the mediating effects of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) to explore potential therapeutic targets for VCI.

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled patients with VCI (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 18) from the Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle study between January 1 and June 30, 2022. The gut microbiota composition and diversity were determined by 16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The association between gut microbiota and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores was determined using Spearman's correlation analysis. Regional CBF was calculated using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling. The mediating effects of regional CBF on the relationship between specific gut microbiota and cognition in VCI were investigated using mediation analysis.

RESULTS

Compared to healthy controls, patients with VCI had significantly greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, Veillonella, R uminococcus gnavus , Fusobacterium, and Erysipelatoclostridium and smaller abundance of Collinsella. The abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus was negatively associated with MoCA scores in patients with VCI, with the CBF in the left hypothalamus, right hypothalamus, and left amygdala accounting for 63.96%, 48.22%, and 36.51%, respectively, of this association after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Ruminococcus gnavus is associated with cognition in VCI, which is strongly mediated by CBF in the bilateral hypothalamus and left amygdala. These findings highlight the potential regulatory roles of nutrition and metabolism-related areas of the brain in VCI.

MS-20 enhances the gut microbiota-associated antitumor effects of anti-PD1 antibody

Cancer immunotherapy has been regarded as a promising strategy for cancer therapy by blocking immune checkpoints and evoking immunity to fight cancer, but its efficacy seems to be heterogeneous among patients. Manipulating the gut microbiota is a potential strategy for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, we report that MS-20, also known as "Symbiota®", a postbiotic that comprises abundant microbial metabolites generated from a soybean-based medium fermented with multiple strains of probiotics and yeast, inhibited colon and lung cancer growth in combination with an anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD1) antibody in xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, MS-20 remodeled the immunological tumor microenvironment by increasing effector CD8+ T cells and downregulating PD1 expression, which were mediated by the gut microbiota. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from mice receiving MS-20 treatment to recipient mice increased CD8+ T-cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment and significantly improved antitumor activity when combined with anti-PD1 therapy. Notably, the abundance of Ruminococcus bromii, which increased following MS-20 treatment, was positively associated with a reduced tumor burden and CD8+ T-cell infiltration in vivo. Furthermore, an ex vivo study revealed that MS-20 could alter the composition of the microbiota in cancer patients, resulting in distinct metabolic pathways associated with favorable responses to immunotherapy. Overall, MS-20 could act as a promising adjuvant agent for enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint-mediated antitumor therapy.

Hypothesizing mechanistic links between microbes and disease using knowledge graphs

Knowledge graphs have found broad biomedical applications, providing useful representations of complex knowledge. Although plentiful evidence exists linking the gut microbiome to disease, mechanistic understanding of those relationships remains generally elusive. Here we demonstrate the potential of knowledge graphs to hypothesize plausible mechanistic accounts of host-microbe interactions in disease. To do so, we constructed a knowledge graph of linked microbes, genes and metabolites called MGMLink. Using a semantically constrained shortest path search through the graph and a novel path prioritization methodology based on cosine similarity, we show that this knowledge supports inference of mechanistic hypotheses that explain observed relationships between microbes and disease phenotypes. We discuss specific applications of this methodology in inflammatory bowel disease and Parkinson's disease. This approach enables mechanistic hypotheses surrounding the complex interactions between gut microbes and disease to be generated in a scalable and comprehensive manner.

Microbiome and metabolome features in inflammatory bowel disease via multi-omics integration analyses across cohorts

The perturbations of the gut microbiota and metabolites are closely associated with the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, inconsistent findings across studies impede a comprehensive understanding of their roles in IBD and their potential as reliable diagnostic biomarkers. To address this challenge, here we comprehensively analyze 9 metagenomic and 4 metabolomics cohorts of IBD from different populations. Through cross-cohort integrative analysis (CCIA), we identify a consistent characteristic of commensal gut microbiota. Especially, three bacteria, namely Asaccharobacter celatus, Gemmiger formicilis, and Erysipelatoclostridium ramosum, which are rarely reported in IBD. Metagenomic functional analysis reveals that essential gene of Two-component system pathway, linked to fecal calprotectin, are implicated in IBD. Metabolomics analysis shows 36 identified metabolites with significant differences, while the roles of these metabolites in IBD are still unknown. To further elucidate the relationship between gut microbiota and metabolites, we construct multi-omics biological correlation (MOBC) maps, which highlights gut microbial biotransformation deficiencies and significant alterations in aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Finally, we identify multi-omics biomarkers for IBD diagnosis, validated across multiple global cohorts (AUROC values ranging from 0.92 to 0.98). Our results offer valuable insights and a significant resource for developing mechanistic hypotheses on host-microbiome interactions in IBD.

Build-a-bug workshop: Using microbial-host interactions and synthetic biology tools to create cancer therapies

Many systemically administered cancer therapies exhibit dose-limiting toxicities that reduce their effectiveness. To increase efficacy, bacterial delivery platforms have been developed that improve safety and prolong treatment. Bacteria are a unique class of therapy that selectively colonizes most solid tumors. As delivery vehicles, bacteria have been genetically modified to express a range of therapies that match multiple cancer indications. In this review, we describe a modular "build-a-bug" method that focuses on five design characteristics: bacterial strain (chassis), therapeutic compound, delivery method, immune-modulating features, and genetic control circuits. We emphasize how fundamental research into gut microbe pathogenesis has created safe bacterial therapies, some of which have entered clinical trials. The genomes of gut microbes are fertile grounds for discovery of components to improve delivery and modulate host immune responses. Future work coupling these delivery vehicles with insights from gut microbes could lead to the next generation of microbial cancer therapy.

Revisiting Coley's Toxins: Immunogenic Cardiolipins from Streptococcus pyogenes

Coley's toxins, an early and enigmatic form of cancer (immuno)therapy, were based on preparations of Streptococcus pyogenes. As part of a program to explore bacterial metabolites with immunomodulatory potential, S. pyogenes metabolites were assayed in a cell-based immune assay, and a single membrane lipid, 18:1/18:0/18:1/18:0 cardiolipin, was identified. Its activity was profiled in additional cellular assays, which showed it to be an agonist of a TLR2-TLR1 signaling pathway with a 6 μM EC50 and robust TNF-α induction. A synthetic analog with switched acyl chains had no measurable activity in immune assays. The identification of a single immunogenic cardiolipin with a restricted structure-activity profile has implications for immune regulation, cancer immunotherapy, and poststreptococcal autoimmune diseases.

Longitudinal gut microbiome analyses and blooms of pathogenic strains during lupus disease flares

OBJECTIVE

Whereas genetic susceptibility for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been well explored, the triggers for clinical disease flares remain elusive. To investigate relationships between microbiota community resilience and disease activity, we performed the first longitudinal analyses of lupus gut-microbiota communities.

METHODS

In an observational study, taxononomic analyses, including multivariate analysis of ß-diversity, assessed time-dependent alterations in faecal communities from patients and healthy controls. From gut blooms, strains were isolated, with genomes and associated glycans analysed.

RESULTS

Multivariate analyses documented that, unlike healthy controls, significant temporal community-wide ecological microbiota instability was common in SLE patients, and transient intestinal growth spikes of several pathogenic species were documented. Expansions of only the anaerobic commensal, Ruminococcus (blautia) gnavus (RG) occurred at times of high-disease activity, and were detected in almost half of patients during lupus nephritis (LN) disease flares. Whole genome sequence analysis of RG strains isolated during these flares documented 34 genes postulated to aid adaptation and expansion within a host with an inflammatory condition. Yet, the most specific feature of strains found during lupus flares was the common expression of a novel type of cell membrane-associated lipoglycan. These lipoglycans share conserved structural features documented by mass spectroscopy, and highly immunogenic repetitive antigenic-determinants, recognised by high-level serum IgG2 antibodies, that spontaneously arose, concurrent with RG blooms and lupus flares.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings rationalise how blooms of the RG pathobiont may be common drivers of clinical flares of often remitting-relapsing lupus disease, and highlight the potential pathogenic properties of specific strains isolated from active LN patients.

Genomic and metabolic insights into the first host-associated isolate of Psychrilyobacter

Although gut bacteria are vital to their hosts, few studies have focused on marine animals. Psychrilyobacter is frequently related to various marine animals, but its interaction with host remains unknown due to the lack of host-associated isolate or genomic information. Here, we combined cultivation-independent and cultivation-dependent methods to uncover the potential roles of Psychrilyobacter in the host abalone. The high-throughput sequencing and literature compiling results indicated that Psychrilyobacter is widely distributed in marine and terrestrial ecosystems with both host-associated and free-living lifestyles, but with a strong niche preference in the guts of marine invertebrates, especially abalone. By in vitro enrichment that mimicked the gut inner environment, the first host-related pure culture of Psychrilyobacter was isolated from the abalone intestine. Phylogenetic, physiological, and biochemical characterizations suggested that it represents a novel species named Psychrilyobacter haliotis B1. Carbohydrate utilization experiments and genomic evidence indicated that B1 can utilize diverse host-food-related monosaccharides and disaccharides but not polysaccharides, implying its potential role in the downstream fermentation instead of the upstream food degradation in the gut. Particularly, this strain showed potential to colonize the gut and benefit the host via different strategies, such as the short-chain fatty acids generation by fermenting peptides and/or amino acids, and the putative production of diverse vitamins and antibiotics to support the host growth and antipathogenicity. To our knowledge, strain B1 represents the first host-related pure culture of Psychrilyobacter; genomic and metabolic evidence showed some beneficial characteristics of the dominant gut anaerobe to the host. IMPORTANCE Psychrilyobacter is a globally distributed bacterial genus and with an inhabiting preference for guts of marine invertebrates. Due to the difficulty of cultivation and the limited genomic information, its role in host remains largely unknown. We isolated the first host-associated Psychrilyobacter species from abalone gut and uncovered its functional potential to the host through different mechanisms. Our findings provide some insights into the understanding of host-microbe interactions on a core taxon with the marine invertebrates, and the isolate may have an application potential in the protection of marine animals.

The Impact of Long-Term Macrolide Exposure on the Gut Microbiome and Its Implications for Metabolic Control

Long-term low-dose macrolide therapy is now widely used in the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases for its immune-modulating effects, although the antimicrobial properties of macrolides can also have collateral impacts on the gut microbiome. We investigated whether such treatment altered intestinal commensal microbiology and whether any such changes affected systemic immune and metabolic regulation. In healthy adults exposed to 4 weeks of low-dose erythromycin or azithromycin, as used clinically, we observed consistent shifts in gut microbiome composition, with a reduction in microbial capacity related to carbohydrate metabolism and short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. These changes were accompanied by alterations in systemic biomarkers relating to immune (interleukin 5 [IL-5], IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1]) and metabolic (serotonin [5-HT], C-peptide) homeostasis. Transplantation of erythromycin-exposed murine microbiota into germ-free mice demonstrated that changes in metabolic homeostasis and gastrointestinal motility, but not systemic immune regulation, resulted from changes in intestinal microbiology caused by macrolide treatment. Our findings highlight the potential for long-term low-dose macrolide therapy to influence host physiology via alteration of the gut microbiome. IMPORTANCE Long-term macrolide therapy is widely used in chronic respiratory diseases although its antibacterial activity can also affect the gut microbiota, a key regulator of host physiology. Macrolide-associated studies on the gut microbiota have been limited to short antibiotic courses and have not examined its consequences for host immune and metabolic regulation. This study revealed that long-term macrolides depleted keystone bacteria and impacted host regulation, mediated directly by macrolide activity or indirectly by alterations to the gut microbiota. Understanding these macrolide-associated mechanisms will contribute to identifying the risk of long-term exposure and highlights the importance of targeted therapy for maintenance of the gut microbiota.

Holothurian Wall Hydrolysate Ameliorates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunocompromised Mice via Regulating Immune Response and Improving Gut Microbiota

Some biologically active compounds isolated from sea cucumbers stimulate the body's immune response by activating immune cells. Immune function is closely related to the integrity intestinal barrier and balanced gut microbiota. However, it is unknown whether the daily administration of holothurian wall hydrolysate (HWH) ameliorated intestinal dysbiosis and barrier injury induced by immunodeficiency. This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect and the underlying mechanism of HWH in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunocompromised mice. BALB/c mice received CTX (80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) once a day for 3 days to induce immunodeficiency, and then they received the oral administration of HWH (80 or 240 mg/kg) or levamisole hydrochloride (LH, 40 mg/kg, positive control), respectively, once a day for 7 days. We utilized 16S rRNA sequencing for microbial composition alterations, histopathological analysis for splenic and colonic morphology, Western blotting for expressions of tight junction proteins (TJs), and quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR for measurements of pro-inflammatory cytokines. HWH attenuated the immune organ damage induced by CTX, increased the secretions of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and promoted the recovery of goblet cells and the production of TJs (claudin-1, occludin, and ZO-1) in the colon of the immunocompromised mice. Moreover, HWH promoted the growth of beneficial microorganisms such as Lactobacillus, Lachnospiraceae, Christensenellaceae, and Bifidobacterium, while it suppressed the populations of Ruminococcus, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. These results demonstrate that HWH elicits intestinal mucosal immunity, repairs the damage to intestinal mucosal integrity, and normalizes the imbalanced intestinal microbial profiles in immunocompromised mice. It may be helpful to identify the biological activities of HWH to support its potential use in new prebiotics, immunomodulatory agents, and medical additives for intestinal repair.

Discovering functional small molecules in the gut microbiome

The human microbiome has emerged as a source of bacterially produced, functional small molecules that help regulate health and disease, and their discovery and annotation has become a popular research topic. Identifying these molecules provides an essential step in unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying biological outcomes. The relevance of specific bacterial members of the microbiome has been demonstrated in a variety of correlative studies, and there are many possible paths from these correlations to the responsible metabolites. Herein, we summarize two studies that have recently identified gut microbiome metabolites that modulate immune responses or promote physical activity. Aside from the deep insights gained, these studies provide blueprints for successfully uncovering the molecules and mechanisms that control important physiological pathways.

Updated immunomodulatory roles of gut flora and microRNAs in inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease is a heterogeneous intestinal inflammatory disorder, including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). Existing studies have shown that the pathogenesis of IBD is closely related to the host's genetic susceptibility, intestinal flora disturbance and mucosal immune abnormalities, etc. It is generally believed that there are complicated interactions between host immunity and intestinal microflora/microRNAs during the occurrence and progression of IBD. Intestinal flora is mainly composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses and helminths. These commensals are highly implicated in the maintenance of intestinal microenvironment homeostasis alone or in combination. MiRNA is an endogenous non-coding small RNA with a length of 20 to 22 nucleotides, which can perform a variety of biological functions by silencing or activating target genes through complementary pairing bonds. A large quantity of miRNAs are involved in intestinal inflammation, mucosal barrier integrity, autophagy, vesicle transportation and other small RNA alterations in IBD circumstance. In this review, the immunomodulatory roles of gut flora and microRNAs are updated in the occurrence and progression of IBD. Meanwhile, the gut flora and microRNA targeted therapeutic strategies as well as other immunomodulatory approaches including TNF-α monoclonal antibodies are also emphasized in the treatment of IBD.

Alterations in the gut microbiome implicate key taxa and metabolic pathways across inflammatory arthritis phenotypes

Musculoskeletal diseases affect up to 20% of adults worldwide. The gut microbiome has been implicated in inflammatory conditions, but large-scale metagenomic evaluations have not yet traced the routes by which immunity in the gut affects inflammatory arthritis. To characterize the community structure and associated functional processes driving gut microbial involvement in arthritis, the Inflammatory Arthritis Microbiome Consortium investigated 440 stool shotgun metagenomes comprising 221 adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or psoriatic arthritis and 219 healthy controls and individuals with joint pain without an underlying inflammatory cause. Diagnosis explained about 2% of gut taxonomic variability, which is comparable in magnitude to inflammatory bowel disease. We identified several candidate microbes with differential carriage patterns in patients with elevated blood markers for inflammation. Our results confirm and extend previous findings of increased carriage of typically oral and inflammatory taxa and decreased abundance and prevalence of typical gut clades, indicating that distal inflammatory conditions, as well as local conditions, correspond to alterations to the gut microbial composition. We identified several differentially encoded pathways in the gut microbiome of patients with inflammatory arthritis, including changes in vitamin B salvage and biosynthesis and enrichment of iron sequestration. Although several of these changes characteristic of inflammation could have causal roles, we hypothesize that they are mainly positive feedback responses to changes in host physiology and immune homeostasis. By connecting taxonomic alternations to functional alterations, this work expands our understanding of the shifts in the gut ecosystem that occur in response to systemic inflammation during arthritis.

Comparative genomics reveals extensive intra-species genetic divergence of the prevalent gut commensal Ruminococcus gnavus

Ruminococcus gnavus is prevalent in the intestines of humans and animals, and ambiguities have been reported regarding its relations with the development of diseases and host well-being. We postulate the ambiguities of its function in different cases may be attributed to strain-level variability of genomic features of R. gnavus. We performed comparative genomic and pathogenicity prediction analysis on 152 filtered high-quality genomes, including 4 genomes of strains isolated from healthy adults in this study. The mean G+C content of genomes of R. gnavus was 42.73±0.33 mol%, and the mean genome size was 3.46±0.34 Mbp. Genome-wide evolutionary analysis revealed R. gnavus genomes were divided into three major phylogenetic clusters. Pan-core genome analysis revealed that there was a total of 28 072 predicted genes, and the core genes, soft-core genes, shell genes and cloud genes accounted for 3.74 % (1051/28 072), 1.75 % (491/28 072), 9.88 % (2774/28 072) and 84.63 % (23 756/28 072) of the total genes, respectively. The small proportion of core genes reflected the wide divergence among R. gnavus strains. We found certain coding sequences with determined health benefits (such as vitamin production and arsenic detoxification), whilst some had an implication of health adversity (such as sulfide dehydrogenase subunits). The functions of the majority of core genes were unknown. The most widespread genes functioning in antibiotic resistance and virulence are tetO (tetracycline-resistance gene, present in 75 strains) and cps4J (capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis protein Cps4J encoding gene, detected in 3 genomes), respectively. Our results revealed genomic divergence and the existence of certain safety-relevant factors of R. gnavus. This study provides new insights for understanding the genomic features and health relevance of R. gnavus, and raises concerns regarding predicted prevalent pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance among most of the strains.

Conditioning of the immune system by the microbiome

The human intestinal microbiome has coevolved with its host to establish a stable homeostatic relationship with hallmark features of mutualistic symbioses, yet the mechanistic underpinnings of host-microbiome interactions are incompletely understood. Thus, it is an opportune time to conceive a common framework for microbiome-mediated regulation of immune function. We propose the term conditioned immunity to describe the multifaceted mechanisms by which the microbiome modulates immunity. In this regard, microbial colonization is a conditioning exposure that has durable effects on immune function through the action of secondary metabolites, foreign molecular patterns, and antigens. Here, we discuss how spatial niches impact host exposure to microbial products at the level of dose and timing, which elicit diverse conditioned responses.

Alleviative Effect of Probiotic Ferment on Lawsonia intracellularis Infection in Piglets

(1) Background: Lawsonia intracellularis (LI) is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium that causes porcine ileitis. Pigs infected with LI have severe ileal lesions and show symptoms of diarrhea, indigestion, and growth retardation. Previous studies found that probiotic ferment (FAM) improved the growth performance, gut barrier, and function in piglets. Therefore, we aimed to reveal the mechanism that FAM alleviates negative performance in LI-challenged piglets by characterizing the changes in intestinal integrity, function, and gut microbiota following FAM supplementation. (2) Methods: Twenty-four healthy piglets were randomly allotted to four treatments. Three groups were challenged with LI; both FAM addition and vaccination were performed to explore their positive effects on LI-infected piglets. (3) Results: Piglets infected with LI showed lower growth performance and typical pathological symptoms. Moreover, microscopic images showed that observed intestinal morphological damage could be repaired by FAM and vaccine. To explore the digestion of nutrients in piglets, both digestive enzyme activity and ileal transporter expression were performed to reveal the promoting effect of additives. Reduction of LI colonization intervention by FAM could also ameliorate abnormal differentiation and function of intestinal epithelial cells and alleviate severe inflammatory responses in piglets. Regarding the gut microbiota, both the structure and function of the ileal and colonic microbiota were altered following FAM supplementation. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, probiotic ferment can reduce the colonization of LI in the ileum, improve intestinal damage, barrier function and microbiota structure, and enhance digestive enzyme activity and nutrient transport proteins expression, thereby improving piglet growth performance, which has the effect of preventing ileitis in pigs.

A special polysaccharide hydrogel coated on Brasenia schreberi: preventive effects against ulcerative colitis via modulation of gut microbiota

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a growing health concern in humans, but it can be prevented by using special dietary strategies. Young stems and leaves of Brasenia schreberi (BS) are coated with a special polysaccharide hydrogel (BS mucilage) which can be beneficial for colon health. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of BS mucilage against UC in a DSS-treated mouse model. Although containing only 0.3% solid content, our research showed that BS mucilage effectively attenuated the disease activity index (DAI) and the spleen index and downregulated IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6 and CAT mRNA levels in DSS-treated mice, which is a promising UC alleviation function. Additionally, BS mucilage also improved the propionate and butyrate levels in mouse feces and alleviated the imbalanced gut microbiota induced by DSS. The abundance of pro-inflammatory and colorectal cancer related bacteria, such as Prevotella, Ruminococcus, Acutalibacter and Christensenella, was decreased by BS mucilage feeding, whereas the abundance of anti-inflammatory and SCFA-producing bacteria including Alistipes and Odoribacter was increased. In conclusion, the current study shows that the daily consumption of BS mucilage could be an effective way to prevent UC in mice, via modulation of gut microbiota.

Ruminococcus gnavus: friend or foe for human health

Ruminococcus gnavus was first identified in 1974 as a strict anaerobe in the gut of healthy individuals, and for several decades, its study has been limited to specific enzymes or bacteriocins. With the advent of metagenomics, R. gnavus has been associated both positively and negatively with an increasing number of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases from inflammatory bowel diseases to neurological disorders. This prompted renewed interest in understanding the adaptation mechanisms of R. gnavus to the gut, and the molecular mediators affecting its association with health and disease. From ca. 250 publications citing R. gnavus since 1990, 94% were published in the last 10 years. In this review, we describe the biological characterization of R. gnavus, its occurrence in the infant and adult gut microbiota and the factors influencing its colonization of the gastrointestinal tract; we also discuss the current state of our knowledge on its role in host health and disease. We highlight gaps in knowledge and discuss the hypothesis that differential health outcomes associated with R. gnavus in the gut are strain and niche specific.

Systemic sclerosis gastrointestinal dysmotility: risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis and management

Nearly all patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are negatively affected by dysfunction in the gastrointestinal tract, and the severity of gastrointestinal disease in SSc correlates with high mortality. The clinical complications of this dysfunction are heterogeneous and include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, intestinal pseudo-obstruction, malabsorption and the requirement for total parenteral nutrition. The abnormal gastrointestinal physiology that promotes the clinical manifestations of SSc gastrointestinal disease throughout the gastrointestinal tract are diverse and present a range of therapeutic targets. Furthermore, the armamentarium of medications and non-pharmacological interventions that can benefit affected patients has substantially expanded in the past 10 years, and research is increasingly focused in this area. Here, we review the details of the gastrointestinal complications in SSc, tie physiological abnormalities to clinical manifestations, detail the roles of standard and novel therapies and lay a foundation for future investigative work.

Challenges and opportunities of strain diversity in gut microbiome research

Just because two things are related does not mean they are the same. In analyzing microbiome data, we are often limited to species-level analyses, and even with the ability to resolve strains, we lack comprehensive databases and understanding of the importance of strain-level variation outside of a limited number of model organisms. The bacterial genome is highly plastic with gene gain and loss occurring at rates comparable or higher than de novo mutations. As such, the conserved portion of the genome is often a fraction of the pangenome which gives rise to significant phenotypic variation, particularly in traits which are important in host microbe interactions. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that give rise to strain variation and methods that can be used to study it. We identify that while strain diversity can act as a major barrier in interpreting and generalizing microbiome data, it can also be a powerful tool for mechanistic research. We then highlight recent examples demonstrating the importance of strain variation in colonization, virulence, and xenobiotic metabolism. Moving past taxonomy and the species concept will be crucial for future mechanistic research to understand microbiome structure and function.

Dietary Supplementation with Chlorogenic Acid Enhances Antioxidant Capacity, Which Promotes Growth, Jejunum Barrier Function, and Cecum Microbiota in Broilers under High Stocking Density Stress

Chlorogenic acids (CGA) are widely used as feed additives for their ability to improve growth performance and intestinal health in poultry. However, whether dietary CGAs could reverse the impaired intestinal condition caused by high stocking density (HD) in broiler chickens is unknown. We determined the effect of dietary CGA on growth, serum antioxidant levels, jejunum barrier function, and the microbial community in the cecum of broilers raised under normal (ND) or HD conditions. HD stress significantly decreased growth and body weight, which was restored by CGA. The HD group showed increased serum malondialdehyde, an oxidative byproduct, and decreased SOD and GSH-Px activity. CGA reduced malondialdehyde and restored antioxidant enzyme activity. HD stress also significantly decreased jejunal villus length and increased crypt depth. Compared with ND, the expression of tight-junction genes was significantly decreased in the HD group, but this decrease was reversed by CGA. HD also significantly upregulated TNF-α. Compared with ND, the cecal microbiota in the HD group showed lower alpha diversity with increases in the harmful bacteria Turicibacter and Shigella. This change was altered in the HD + CGA group, with enrichment of Blautia, Akkermansia, and other beneficial bacteria. These results demonstrated that HD stress decreased serum antioxidant capacity, inhibited the development of jejunal villi, and downregulated expression of tight-junction genes, which increased intestinal permeability during the rapid growth period (21 to 35 days). Dietary CGA enhanced antioxidant capacity, improved intestinal integrity, and enhanced beneficial gut bacteria in chickens raised under HD conditions.

Gut microbiome and mycobiome in inflammatory bowel disease patients with Clostridioides difficile infection

Background

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has been reported as a risk factor for poor outcome. However, gut microbiome and mycobiome of IBD patients with CDI have been barely investigated. This study aimed to assess the gut microbiome and mycobiome in IBD patients with CDI.

Methods

We collected fecal samples from patients with active IBD and concomitant CDI (IBD-CDI group, n=25), patients with active IBD and no CDI (IBD-only group, n=51), and healthy subjects (HC, n=40). Patients' characteristics including demographic data, disease severity, and medication history were collected. Metagenomic sequencing, taxonomic and functional analysis were carried out in the samples.

Results

We found that the bacterial alpha diversity of the IBD-CDI group was decreased. The bacterial and fungal beta diversity variations between IBD patients and HC were significant, regardless of CDI status. But the IBD-CDI group did not significantly cluster separately from the IBD-only group. Several bacterial taxa, including Enterococcus faecium, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Clostridium innocuum were overrepresented in the IBD-CDI group. Furthermore, IBD patients with CDI were distinguished by several fungal taxa, including overrepresentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also identified functional differences in IBD patients with CDI include enrichment of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. The network analysis indicated specific interactions between microbial markers in IBD-CDI patients.

Conclusion

IBD patients with CDI had pronounced microbial dysbiosis. Gut micro-ecological changes in IBD patients with CDI might provide insight into the pathological process and potential strategies for diagnosis and treatment in this subset of patients.

Temperate bacteriophages infecting the mucin-degrading bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus from the human gut

Ruminococcus gnavus is a prevalent gut microbe reported to occur in higher abundance among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study reports the isolation and characterization of six bacteriophages (phages) isolated from human fecal material and environmental samples that infect this species. Isolated phages have a siphovirus morphology, with genomes ranging between 36.5 and 37.8 kbp. Genome analysis indicates that the phages have a temperate lifestyle, which was confirmed by their ability to form lysogens on their host bacterial species. In contrast to the finding that phages lyse their host in liquid medium, results from a mouse trial indicate these phages can co-exist with the host bacterium in the gut without causing a significant reduction of R. gnavus. The bacterial counts in the feces of phage-treated mice did not significantly differ in the presence of phage. Furthermore, analysis of publicly available gut virome sequence data indicates a high abundance of these phages among individuals suffering from IBD. This work provides the first insight into how phages interact with R. gnavus in the human gut microbiome.

Crosstalk between microbial biofilms in the gastrointestinal tract and chronic mucosa diseases

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the largest reservoir of microbiota in the human body; however, it is still challenging to estimate the distribution and life patterns of microbes. Biofilm, as the predominant form in the microbial ecosystem, serves ideally to connect intestinal flora, molecules, and host mucosa cells. It gives bacteria the capacity to inhabit ecological niches, communicate with host cells, and withstand environmental stresses. This study intends to evaluate the connection between GI tract biofilms and chronic mucosa diseases such as chronic gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. In each disease, we summarize the representative biofilm makers including Helicobacter pylori, adherent-invasive Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. We address biofilm's role in causing inflammation and the pro-carcinogenic stage in addition to discussing the typical resistance, persistence, and recurrence mechanisms seen in vitro. Biofilms may serve as a new biomarker for endoscopic and pathologic detection of gastrointestinal disease and suppression, which may be a useful addition to the present therapy strategy.

Intestinal IgA-Coated Bacteria in Healthy- and Altered-Microbiomes (Dysbiosis) and Predictive Value in Successful Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

IgA-coated bacteria in the gut (IgA-biome) provide a homeostatic function in healthy people through inhibition of microbial invaders and by protecting the epithelial monolayer of the gut. The laboratory methods used to detect this group of bacteria require flow cytometry and DNA sequencing (IgA-Seq). With dysbiosis (reduced diversity of the microbiome), the IgA-biome also is impaired. In the presence of enteric infection, oral vaccines, or an intestinal inflammatory disorder, the IgA-biome focuses on the pathogenic bacteria or foreign antigens, while in other chronic diseases associated with dysbiosis, the IgA-biome is reduced in capacity. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), the use of fecal product from well-screened, healthy donors administered to patients with dysbiosis, has been successful in engrafting the intestine with healthy microbiota and metabolites leading to improve health. Through FMT, IgA-coated bacteria have been transferred to recipients retaining their immune coating. The IgA-biome should be evaluated in FMT studies as these mucosal-associated bacteria are more likely to be associated with successful transplantation than free luminal organisms. Studies of the microbiome pre- and post-FMT should employ metagenomic methods that identify bacteria at least at the species level to better identify organisms of interest while allowing comparisons of microbiota data between studies.