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Munteanu C, Schwartz B. Interactions between Dietary Antioxidants, Dietary Fiber and the Gut Microbiome: Their Putative Role in Inflammation and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8250. [PMID: 39125822 PMCID: PMC11311432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricate relationship between the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome and the progression of chronic non-communicable diseases underscores the significance of developing strategies to modulate the GI microbiota for promoting human health. The administration of probiotics and prebiotics represents a good strategy that enhances the population of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal lumen post-consumption, which has a positive impact on human health. In addition, dietary fibers serve as a significant energy source for bacteria inhabiting the cecum and colon. Research articles and reviews sourced from various global databases were systematically analyzed using specific phrases and keywords to investigate these relationships. There is a clear association between dietary fiber intake and improved colon function, gut motility, and reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Moreover, the state of health is reflected in the reciprocal and bidirectional relationships among food, dietary antioxidants, inflammation, and body composition. They are known for their antioxidant properties and their ability to inhibit angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell proliferation. Additionally, they promote cell survival, modulate immune and inflammatory responses, and inactivate pro-carcinogens. These actions collectively contribute to their role in cancer prevention. In different investigations, antioxidant supplements containing vitamins have been shown to lower the risk of specific cancer types. In contrast, some evidence suggests that taking antioxidant supplements can increase the risk of developing cancer. Ultimately, collaborative efforts among immunologists, clinicians, nutritionists, and dietitians are imperative for designing well-structured nutritional trials to corroborate the clinical efficacy of dietary therapy in managing inflammation and preventing carcinogenesis. This review seeks to explore the interrelationships among dietary antioxidants, dietary fiber, and the gut microbiome, with a particular focus on their potential implications in inflammation and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Munteanu
- Department of Plant Culture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Betty Schwartz
- The Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, The School of Nutritional Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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2
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Anka IZ, Uren Webster TM, Berbel-Filho WM, Hitchings M, Overland B, Weller S, Garcia de Leaniz C, Consuegra S. Microbiome and epigenetic variation in wild fish with low genetic diversity. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4725. [PMID: 38830879 PMCID: PMC11148108 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49162-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-genetic sources of phenotypic variation, such as the epigenome and the microbiome, could be important contributors to adaptive variation for species with low genetic diversity. However, little is known about the complex interaction between these factors and the genetic diversity of the host, particularly in wild populations. Here, we examine the skin microbiome composition of two closely-related mangrove killifish species with different mating systems (self-fertilising and outcrossing) under sympatric and allopatric conditions. This allows us to partition the influence of the genotype and the environment on their microbiome and (previously described) epigenetic profiles. We find the diversity and community composition of the skin microbiome are strongly shaped by the environment and, to a lesser extent, by species-specific influences. Heterozygosity and microbiome alpha diversity, but not epigenetic variation, are associated with the fluctuating asymmetry of traits related to performance (vision) and behaviour (aggression). Our study identifies that a proportion of the epigenetic diversity and microbiome differentiation is unrelated to genetic variation, and we find evidence for an associative relationship between microbiome and epigenetic diversity in these wild populations. This suggests that both mechanisms could potentially contribute to variation in species with low genetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ishrat Z Anka
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
- Department of Aquaculture, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, 4225, Bangladesh
| | - Tamsyn M Uren Webster
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Waldir M Berbel-Filho
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019, USA
- Department of Biology, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, USA
| | - Matthew Hitchings
- Institute of Life Science, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Benjamin Overland
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Sarah Weller
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Carlos Garcia de Leaniz
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
- Marine Research Centre (CIM-UVIGO), Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Sofia Consuegra
- Department of Biosciences, Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK.
- Grupo de Biotecnología Acuática, Departamento de Biotecnología y Acuicultura, Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, IIM-CSIC, Vigo, Spain.
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3
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Ferenc K, Sokal-Dembowska A, Helma K, Motyka E, Jarmakiewicz-Czaja S, Filip R. Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Nutrition and Its Relationship to Epigenetics. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1228. [PMID: 38279228 PMCID: PMC10816208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The intestinal microbiota is a community of microorganisms inhabiting the human intestines, potentially influencing both physiological and pathophysiological processes in the human body. Existing evidence suggests that nutrients can influence the modulation of the gut microbiota. However, there is still limited evidence regarding the effects of vitamin and mineral supplementation on the human gut microbiota through epigenetic modification. It is plausible that maintaining an adequate dietary intake of vitamin D, iron, fibre, zinc and magnesium may have a beneficial effect on alleviating inflammation in the body, reducing oxidative stress, and improving the condition of the intestinal microbiota through various epigenetic mechanisms. Moreover, epigenetics involves alterations in the phenotype of a cell without changing its fundamental DNA sequence. It appears that the modulation of the microbiota by various nutrients may lead to epigenetic regulation. The correlations between microbiota and epigenetics are potentially interdependent. Therefore, the primary objective of this review is to identify the complex relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and epigenetic regulation. These interactions could play a crucial role in systemic health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Ferenc
- Institute of Medicine, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Aneta Sokal-Dembowska
- Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Kacper Helma
- Institute of Health Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Motyka
- Centre for Innovative Research in Medical and Natural Sciences, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | | | - Rafał Filip
- Institute of Medicine, Medical College of Rzeszow University, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
- Department of Gastroenterology with IBD Unit, Clinical Hospital No. 2, 35-301 Rzeszow, Poland
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4
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Alpino GDCÁ, Pereira-Sol GA, Dias MDME, Aguiar ASD, Peluzio MDCG. Beneficial effects of butyrate on brain functions: A view of epigenetic. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:3961-3970. [PMID: 36287024 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2137776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Brain functions are influenced by the presence, activity, and metabolism of the gut microbiota through the gut-microbiota-brain (GMB) axis. The consumption of a fiber-rich diet increases the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from bacterial fermentation in the colon. Among SCFAs, butyrate stands out because of its wide array of biological functions, such as ability to influence brain functions. Pharmacologically, sodium butyrate (NaB) regulates gene expression in the brain, where it has several beneficial effects ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to behavioral disorders through inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACis). In this context, we review the mechanisms of action of the two types of butyrate on brain functions, with an emphasis on the epigenetic approach. Both types of butyrate are potentially interesting for the prevention and adjuvant therapy of neurological and psychological disorders due to their neuroprotective functions. However, further studies are needed to investigate the possible neuroepigenetic effects of butyrate derived from bacterial fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Aline Silva de Aguiar
- Departamento de Nutrição e Dietética, Faculdade de Nutrição Emília de Jesus Ferreiro, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Niterói, Brasil
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Kumari A, Bhawal S, Kapila S, Kapila R. Strain-specific effects of probiotic Lactobacilli on mRNA expression of epigenetic modifiers in intestinal epithelial cells. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:411. [PMID: 35729284 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-03027-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The epigenome of an organism is as important as the genome for the normal development and functioning of an individual. The human epigenome can be affected by various environmental factors including nutrients, microbiota and probiotics through epigenetic modifiers and mediates various health-promoting effects. The present study was aimed to explore the temporal changes in DNA and histone modifiers (DNMT1, TET2, p300, HDAC1, KMT2A, KDM5B, EzH2 and JMJD3) in intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) by probiotic lactobacilli (Limosilactobacillus fermentum MTCC 5898 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus MTCC 5897) in comparison to opportunistic commensal pathogen Escherichia coli (ATCC 14849). Cells were treated separately with probiotic strains and E. coli for different durations and temporal changes in gene expression among DNA and histone modifiers were measured. Time-dependent studies showed that L. fermentum enhanced the transcription of epigenetic modifiers at 12 h of treatment (P < 0.05) contrary to E. coli which reduced the expression of these genes during the same duration of treatment. On the other hand, probiotic L. rhamnosus was not able to induce any significant changes in gene expression of these modifiers. Furthermore, during the exclusion of E. coli by L. fermentum, the probiotic was found to resist the changes made by E. coli in the transcription of some of the epigenetic modifiers. Thus, it is concluded that the probiotics modulated the mRNA expression of DNA and histone modifiers contrarily to E. coli in a strain-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Kumari
- Division of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Shalaka Bhawal
- Division of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Suman Kapila
- Division of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India
| | - Rajeev Kapila
- Division of Animal Biochemistry, National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, 132001, India.
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Lavoie C, Wellband K, Perreault A, Bernatchez L, Derome N. Artificial Rearing of Atlantic Salmon Juveniles for Supportive Breeding Programs Induces Long-Term Effects on Gut Microbiota after Stocking. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091932. [PMID: 34576827 PMCID: PMC8465833 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In supportive breeding programs for wild salmon populations, stocked parr experience higher mortality rates than wild ones. Among other aspects of phenotype, the gut microbiota of artificially raised parr differs from that of wild parr before stocking. Early steps of microbiota ontogeny are tightly dependent upon environmental conditions, both of which exert long-term effects on host physiology. Therefore, our objective was to assess to what extent the resilience capacity of the microbiota of stocked salmon may prevent taxonomic convergence with that of their wild congeners after two months in the same natural environment. Using the 16S SSU rRNA marker gene, we tested the general hypothesis that environmental conditions during the very first steps of microbiota ontogeny imprint a permanent effect on later stages of microbiota recruitment. Our results first showed that gut microbiota composition of stocked and wild parr from the same genetic population, and sharing the same environment, was dependent on the early rearing environment. In contrast, skin microbiota in stocked individuals converged to that of wild individuals. Taxonomic composition and co-occurrence network analyses suggest an impairment of wild bacteria recruitment and a higher instability for the gut microbiota of stocked parr. This study is the first to demonstrate the long-term effect of early microbiota ontogeny in artificial rearing for natural population conservation programs, raising the need to implement microbial ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Lavoie
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.L.); (A.P.); (L.B.)
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Kyle Wellband
- Department of Biology, Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3, Canada;
| | - Alysse Perreault
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.L.); (A.P.); (L.B.)
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Louis Bernatchez
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.L.); (A.P.); (L.B.)
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Nicolas Derome
- Department of Biology, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; (C.L.); (A.P.); (L.B.)
- Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(418)-656-7726
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7
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Shock T, Badang L, Ferguson B, Martinez-Guryn K. The interplay between diet, gut microbes, and host epigenetics in health and disease. J Nutr Biochem 2021; 95:108631. [PMID: 33789148 PMCID: PMC8355029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms linking the function of microbes to host health are becoming better defined but are not yet fully understood. One recently explored mechanism involves microbe-mediated alterations in the host epigenome. Consumption of specific dietary components such as fiber, glucosinolates, polyphenols, and dietary fat has a significant impact on gut microbiota composition and function. Microbial metabolism of these dietary components regulates important epigenetic functions that ultimately influences host health. Diet-mediated alterations in the gut microbiome regulate the substrates available for epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation or histone methylation and/or acetylation. In addition, generation of microbial metabolites such as butyrate inhibits the activity of core epigenetic enzymes like histone deacetylases (HDACs). Reciprocally, the host epigenome also influences gut microbial composition. Thus, complex interactions exist between these three factors. This review comprehensively examines the interplay between diet, gut microbes, and host epigenetics in modulating host health. Specifically, the dietary impact on gut microbiota structure and function that in-turn regulates host epigenetics is evaluated in terms of promoting protection from disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tori Shock
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Luis Badang
- Biomedical Sciences Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Bradley Ferguson
- Department of Nutrition, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA; Center of Biomedical Research Excellence for Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System, University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV, USA
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8
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Hidden Role of Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Schizophrenia: Antipsychotics or Psychobiotics as Therapeutics? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147671. [PMID: 34299291 PMCID: PMC8307070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that has complex symptoms and uncertain etiology. Mounting evidence indicates the involvement of genetics and epigenetic disturbances, alteration in gut microbiome, immune system abnormalities, and environmental influence in the disease, but a single root cause and mechanism involved has yet to be conclusively determined. Consequently, the identification of diagnostic markers and the development of psychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia faces a high failure rate. This article surveys the etiology of schizophrenia with a particular focus on gut microbiota regulation and the microbial signaling system that correlates with the brain through the vagus nerve, enteric nervous system, immune system, and production of postbiotics. Gut microbially produced molecules may lay the groundwork for further investigations into the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Current treatment of schizophrenia is limited to psychotherapy and antipsychotic drugs that have significant side effects. Therefore, alternative therapeutic options merit exploration. The use of psychobiotics alone or in combination with antipsychotics may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In view of the individual gut microbiome structure and personalized response to antipsychotic drugs, a tailored and targeted manipulation of gut microbial diversity naturally by novel prebiotics (non-digestible fiber) may be a successful alternative therapeutic for the treatment of schizophrenia patients.
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Munawar N, Ahsan K, Muhammad K, Ahmad A, Anwar MA, Shah I, Al Ameri AK, Al Mughairbi F. Hidden Role of Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Schizophrenia: Antipsychotics or Psychobiotics as Therapeutics? Int J Mol Sci 2021. [DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22147671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder that has complex symptoms and uncertain etiology. Mounting evidence indicates the involvement of genetics and epigenetic disturbances, alteration in gut microbiome, immune system abnormalities, and environmental influence in the disease, but a single root cause and mechanism involved has yet to be conclusively determined. Consequently, the identification of diagnostic markers and the development of psychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia faces a high failure rate. This article surveys the etiology of schizophrenia with a particular focus on gut microbiota regulation and the microbial signaling system that correlates with the brain through the vagus nerve, enteric nervous system, immune system, and production of postbiotics. Gut microbially produced molecules may lay the groundwork for further investigations into the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Current treatment of schizophrenia is limited to psychotherapy and antipsychotic drugs that have significant side effects. Therefore, alternative therapeutic options merit exploration. The use of psychobiotics alone or in combination with antipsychotics may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In view of the individual gut microbiome structure and personalized response to antipsychotic drugs, a tailored and targeted manipulation of gut microbial diversity naturally by novel prebiotics (non-digestible fiber) may be a successful alternative therapeutic for the treatment of schizophrenia patients.
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10
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Spichak S, Bastiaanssen TFS, Berding K, Vlckova K, Clarke G, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Mining microbes for mental health: Determining the role of microbial metabolic pathways in human brain health and disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 125:698-761. [PMID: 33675857 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.02.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing knowledge regarding the role of the microbiome in modulating the brain and behaviour. Indeed, the actions of microbial metabolites are key for appropriate gut-brain communication in humans. Among these metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan, and bile acid metabolites/pathways show strong preclinical evidence for involvement in various aspects of brain function and behaviour. With the identification of neuroactive gut-brain modules, new predictive tools can be applied to existing datasets. We identified 278 studies relating to the human microbiota-gut-brain axis which included sequencing data. This spanned across psychiatric and neurological disorders with a small number also focused on normal behavioural development. With a consistent bioinformatics pipeline, thirty-five of these datasets were reanalysed from publicly available raw sequencing files and the remainder summarised and collated. Among the reanalysed studies, we uncovered evidence of disease-related alterations in microbial metabolic pathways in Alzheimer's Disease, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. Amongst studies that could not be reanalysed, many sequencing and technical limitations hindered the discovery of specific biomarkers of microbes or metabolites conserved across studies. Future studies are warranted to confirm our findings. We also propose guidelines for future human microbiome analysis to increase reproducibility and consistency within the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Spichak
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Thomaz F S Bastiaanssen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kirsten Berding
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Klara Vlckova
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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De Musis C, Granata L, Dallio M, Miranda A, Gravina AG, Romano M. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: The Role of Gut Microbiota. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 26:2951-2961. [PMID: 32310042 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200420144128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic multifactorial diseases characterized by partially unclear pathogenic mechanisms including changes in intestinal microbiota. Despite the microbiota, alteration is well established in IBD patients, as reported by 16RNA sequencing analysis, an important goal is to define if it is just a consequence of the disease progression or a trigger factor of the disease itself. To date, gut microbiota composition and gut microbiota-related metabolites seem to affect the host healthy state both by modulating metabolic pathways or acting on the expression of different genes through epigenetic effects. Because of this, it has been suggested that intestinal microbiota might represent a promising therapeutic target for IBD patients. The aim of this review is to summarize both the most recent acquisitions in the field of gut microbiota and its involvement in intestinal inflammation together with the available strategies for the modulation of microbiota, such as prebiotics and/or probiotics administration or fecal microbiota transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana De Musis
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Lucia Granata
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Dallio
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Agnese Miranda
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta G Gravina
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Romano
- Departments of Precision Medicine and Polyspecialistic Internal Medicine, University of Campania ''Luigi Vanvitelli'' and University Hospital, Naples, Italy
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12
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Xiao C, Fedirko V, Beitler J, Bai J, Peng G, Zhou C, Gu J, Zhao H, Lin IH, Chico CE, Jeon S, Knobf TM, Conneely KN, Higgins K, Shin DM, Saba N, Miller A, Bruner D. The role of the gut microbiome in cancer-related fatigue: pilot study on epigenetic mechanisms. Support Care Cancer 2020; 29:3173-3182. [PMID: 33078326 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05820-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent evidence supports a key role of gut microbiome in brain health. We conducted a pilot study to assess associations of gut microbiome with cancer-related fatigue and explore the associations with DNA methylation changes. METHODS Self-reported Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and stool samples were collected at pre-radiotherapy and one-month post-radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Gut microbiome data were obtained by sequencing the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene. DNA methylation changes in the blood were assessed using Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip. RESULTS We observed significantly different gut microbiota patterns among patients with high vs. low fatigue across time. This pattern was characterized by low relative abundance in short-chain fatty acid-producing taxa (family Ruminococcaceae, genera Subdoligranulum and Faecalibacterium; all p < 0.05), with high abundance in taxa associated with inflammation (genera Family XIII AD3011 and Erysipelatoclostridium; all p < 0.05) for high-fatigue group. We identified nine KEGG Orthology pathways significantly different between high- vs. low-fatigue groups over time (all p < 0.001), including pathways related to fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, inflammation, and brain function. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the top differentially methylated CpG sites that were associated with the taxa and fatigue. All biological processes from the GSEA were related to immune responses and inflammation (FDR < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest different patterns of the gut microbiota in cancer patients with high vs. low fatigue. Results from functional pathways and DNA methylation analyses indicate that inflammation is likely to be the major driver in the gut-brain axis for cancer-related fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canhua Xiao
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Room 20102, Orange, CT, 06477, USA.
| | - Veronika Fedirko
- School of Public Health, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jonathan Beitler
- Department of Radiation, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jinbing Bai
- School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, 30322, USA
| | - Gang Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Jianlei Gu
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, Yale University, 300 George Street, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - I-Hsin Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 485 Lexington Ave, New York, NY, 10017, USA
| | - Cynthia E Chico
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-B Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Sangchoon Jeon
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Room 20102, Orange, CT, 06477, USA
| | - Tish M Knobf
- School of Nursing, Yale University, 400 West Campus Drive, Room 20102, Orange, CT, 06477, USA
| | - Karen N Conneely
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Emory University, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kristin Higgins
- Department of Radiation, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Dong M Shin
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Nabil Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-C Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Andrew Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Emory University, 1365-B Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah Bruner
- School of Nursing, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, 30322, USA
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13
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Abstract
The causes of neonatal gut injury are multifactorial and include ischemia, tissue hypoxia due to anemia, excessive inflammation, deficiency of growth factors, and food protein sensitivity. The developing intestinal microbiome plays a role in some of these forms of intestinal injury but knowledge of its relative role in each remains poorly understood. Commensal bacteria are required for normal immune development and immune tolerance. Dysbiosis in the neonatal gut that alters the patterns of commensal and pathogenic bacteria may accentuate gut injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Pammi
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, 6621, Fannin, WT 6-104, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
| | - Emily Hollister
- Diversigen, Inc, Information Technology and Analytics, 2450 Holcombe Boulevard, Suite BCMA, Houston, TX 77021, USA
| | - Josef Neu
- Section of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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14
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Pascale A, Marchesi N, Govoni S, Barbieri A. Targeting the microbiota in pharmacology of psychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Res 2020; 157:104856. [PMID: 32389857 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease. In particular, gut microbiota influences the Central Nervous System (CNS) development and homeostasis through neural pathways or routes involving the immune and circulatory systems. The CNS, in turn, shapes the intestinal flora through endocrine or stress-mediated responses. These overall bidirectional interactions, known as gut microbiota-brain axis, profoundly affect some brain functions, such as neurogenesis and the production of neurotransmitters, up to influence behavioral aspects of healthy subjects. Consequently, a dysfunction within this axis, as observed in case of dysbiosis, can have an impact on the behavior of a given individual (e.g. anxiety and depression) or on the development of pathologies affecting the CNS, such as autism spectrum disorders and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease). It should be considered that the whole microbiota has a significant role not only on aspects concerning human physiology, such as harvesting of nutrients and energy from the ingested food or production of a wide range of bioactive compounds, but also has positive effects on the gastrointestinal barrier function and actively contributes to the pharmacokinetics of several compounds including neuropsychiatric drugs. Indeed, the microbiota is able to affect drug absorption and metabolism up to have an impact on drug activity and/or toxicity. On the other hand, drugs are able to shape the human gut microbiota itself, where these changes may contribute to their pharmacologic profile. Therefore, the emerging picture on the complex drug-microbiota bidirectional interplay will have considerable implications in the future not only in terms of clinical practice but also, upstream, on drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pascale
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Marchesi
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano Govoni
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Annalisa Barbieri
- Department of Drug Sciences, Pharmacology Section, University of Pavia, Viale Taramelli 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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15
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Murine Genetic Background Has a Stronger Impact on the Composition of the Gut Microbiota than Maternal Inoculation or Exposure to Unlike Exogenous Microbiota. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.00826-19. [PMID: 31350316 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00826-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem, affected by both environmental factors and host genetics. Here, we aim at uncovering the bacterial taxa whose gut persistence is controlled by host genetic variation. We used a murine model based on inbred lines BALB/c and C57BL/6J and their F1 reciprocal hybrids (♀C57BL/6J × ♂BALB/c; ♀BALB/c × ♂C57BL/6J). To guarantee genetic similarity of F1 offspring, including the sex chromosomes, we used only female mice. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we found that the genetically different inbred lines present different microbiota, whereas their genetically identical F1 reciprocal hybrids presented similar microbiota. Moreover, the F1 microbial composition differed from that of both parental lines. Twelve taxa were shown to have genetically controlled gut persistence, while none were found to show maternal effects. Nine of these taxa were dominantly inherited by the C57BL/6J line. Cohousing of the parental inbred lines resulted in a temporary and minor shift in microbiota composition, which returned back to the former microbial composition following separation, indicating that each line tends to maintain a unique bacterial signature reflecting the line. Taken together, our findings indicate that mouse genetics has an effect on the microbial composition in the gut, which is greater than maternal effect and continuous exposure to different microbiota of the alternative line. Uncovering the bacterial taxa associated with host genetics and understanding their role in the gut ecosystem could lead to the development of genetically oriented probiotic products, as part of the personalized medicine approach.IMPORTANCE The gut microbiota play important roles for their host. The link between host genetics and their microbial composition has received increasing interest. Using a unique reciprocal cross model, generating genetically similar F1 hybrids with different maternal inoculation, we demonstrate the inheritance of gut persistence of 12 bacterial taxa. No taxa identified as maternally transmitted. Moreover, cohabitation of two genetically different inbred lines did not dramatically affect the microbiota composition. Taken together, our results demonstrate the importance of the genetic effect over maternal inoculation or effect of exposure to unlike exogenous microbiota. These findings may lead to the development of personalized probiotic products, specifically designed according to the genetic makeup.
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16
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Woo V, Eshleman EM, Rice T, Whitt J, Vallance BA, Alenghat T. Microbiota Inhibit Epithelial Pathogen Adherence by Epigenetically Regulating C-Type Lectin Expression. Front Immunol 2019; 10:928. [PMID: 31134059 PMCID: PMC6514056 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous bacterial pathogens infect the mammalian host by initially associating with epithelial cells that line the intestinal lumen. Recent work has revealed that commensal bacteria that reside in the intestine promote defense against pathogenic infection, however whether the microbiota direct host pathways that alter pathogen adherence is not well-understood. Here, by comparing germ-free mice, we identify that the microbiota decrease bacterial pathogen adherence and dampen epithelial expression of the cell surface glycoprotein C-type lectin 2e (Clec2e). Functional studies revealed that overexpression of this lectin promotes adherence of intestinal bacterial pathogens to mammalian cells. Interestingly, microbiota-sensitive downregulation of Clec2e corresponds with decreased histone acetylation of the Clec2e gene in intestinal epithelial cells. Histone deacetylation and transcriptional regulation of Clec2e depends on expression and recruitment of the histone deacetylase HDAC3. Thus, commensal bacteria epigenetically instruct epithelial cells to decrease expression of a C-type lectin that promotes pathogen adherence, revealing a novel mechanism for how the microbiota promote innate defense against infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivienne Woo
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Emily M Eshleman
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Taylor Rice
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jordan Whitt
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Bruce A Vallance
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Theresa Alenghat
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Inflammation and Tolerance, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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17
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Rodrigues-Amorim D, Rivera-Baltanás T, Regueiro B, Spuch C, de Las Heras ME, Vázquez-Noguerol Méndez R, Nieto-Araujo M, Barreiro-Villar C, Olivares JM, Agís-Balboa RC. The role of the gut microbiota in schizophrenia: Current and future perspectives. World J Biol Psychiatry 2018; 19:571-585. [PMID: 29383983 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2018.1433878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Schizophrenia is a poorly understood chronic disease. Its pathophysiology is complex, dynamic, and linked to epigenetic mechanisms and microbiota involvement. Nowadays, correlating schizophrenia with the environment makes sense owing to its multidimensional implications: temporal and spatial variability. Microbiota involvement and epigenetic mechanisms are factors that are currently being considered to better understand another dimension of schizophrenia. METHODS This review summarises and discusses currently available information, focussing on the microbiota, epigenetic mechanisms, technological approaches aimed at performing exhaustive analyses of the microbiota, and psychotherapies, to establish future perspectives. RESULTS The connection between the microbiota, epigenetic mechanisms and technological developments allows for formulating new approaches objectively oriented towards the development of alternative psychotherapies that may help treat schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS In this review, the gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms were considered as key regulators, revealing a potential new aetiology of schizophrenia. Likewise, continuous technological advances (e.g. culturomics), aimed at the microbiota-gut-brain axis generate new evidence on this concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Rodrigues-Amorim
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Tania Rivera-Baltanás
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Benito Regueiro
- b Microbiology and Parasitology Department (School of Medicine , Universidad de Santiago de Compostela). Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS , Vigo , Spain
| | - Carlos Spuch
- c Neurology Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - María Elena de Las Heras
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Raul Vázquez-Noguerol Méndez
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Maria Nieto-Araujo
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Carolina Barreiro-Villar
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Jose Manuel Olivares
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
| | - Roberto Carlos Agís-Balboa
- a Psychiatric Diseases Research Group , Galicia Sur Health Research Institute. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Vigo (CHUVI), SERGAS, CIBERSAM , Vigo , Spain
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18
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Flandroy L, Poutahidis T, Berg G, Clarke G, Dao MC, Decaestecker E, Furman E, Haahtela T, Massart S, Plovier H, Sanz Y, Rook G. The impact of human activities and lifestyles on the interlinked microbiota and health of humans and of ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 627:1018-1038. [PMID: 29426121 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants, animals and humans, are colonized by microorganisms (microbiota) and transiently exposed to countless others. The microbiota affects the development and function of essentially all organ systems, and contributes to adaptation and evolution, while protecting against pathogenic microorganisms and toxins. Genetics and lifestyle factors, including diet, antibiotics and other drugs, and exposure to the natural environment, affect the composition of the microbiota, which influences host health through modulation of interrelated physiological systems. These include immune system development and regulation, metabolic and endocrine pathways, brain function and epigenetic modification of the genome. Importantly, parental microbiotas have transgenerational impacts on the health of progeny. Humans, animals and plants share similar relationships with microbes. Research paradigms from humans and other mammals, amphibians, insects, planktonic crustaceans and plants demonstrate the influence of environmental microbial ecosystems on the microbiota and health of organisms, and indicate links between environmental and internal microbial diversity and good health. Therefore, overlapping compositions, and interconnected roles of microbes in human, animal and plant health should be considered within the broader context of terrestrial and aquatic microbial ecosystems that are challenged by the human lifestyle and by agricultural and industrial activities. Here, we propose research priorities and organizational, educational and administrative measures that will help to identify safe microbe-associated health-promoting modalities and practices. In the spirit of an expanding version of "One health" that includes environmental health and its relation to human cultures and habits (EcoHealth), we urge that the lifestyle-microbiota-human health nexus be taken into account in societal decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucette Flandroy
- Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Belgium
| | - Theofilos Poutahidis
- Laboratory of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria-Carlota Dao
- ICAN, Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; INSERM, UMRS U1166 (Eq 6) Nutriomics, Paris 6, France; UPMC, Sorbonne University, Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, France
| | - Ellen Decaestecker
- Aquatic Biology, Department Biology, Science, Engineering & Technology Group, KU Leuven, Campus Kortrijk. E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Eeva Furman
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tari Haahtela
- Skin and Allergy Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sébastien Massart
- Laboratory of Integrated and Urban Phytopathology, TERRA, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, Passage des deportes, 2, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Hubert Plovier
- Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Yolanda Sanz
- Microbial Ecology, Nutrition & Health Research Unit, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Spanish National Research Council (IATA-CSIC), Valencia, Spain
| | - Graham Rook
- Centre for Clinical Microbiology, Department of Infection, UCL (University College London), London, UK.
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19
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Widschwendter M, Jones A, Evans I, Reisel D, Dillner J, Sundström K, Steyerberg EW, Vergouwe Y, Wegwarth O, Rebitschek FG, Siebert U, Sroczynski G, de Beaufort ID, Bolt I, Cibula D, Zikan M, Bjørge L, Colombo N, Harbeck N, Dudbridge F, Tasse AM, Knoppers BM, Joly Y, Teschendorff AE, Pashayan N. Epigenome-based cancer risk prediction: rationale, opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2018; 15:292-309. [PMID: 29485132 DOI: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2018.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of cancer is continuing to rise and risk-tailored early diagnostic and/or primary prevention strategies are urgently required. The ideal risk-predictive test should: integrate the effects of both genetic and nongenetic factors and aim to capture these effects using an approach that is both biologically stable and technically reproducible; derive a score from easily accessible biological samples that acts as a surrogate for the organ in question; and enable the effectiveness of risk-reducing measures to be monitored. Substantial evidence has accumulated suggesting that the epigenome and, in particular, DNA methylation-based tests meet all of these requirements. However, the development and implementation of DNA methylation-based risk-prediction tests poses considerable challenges. In particular, the cell type specificity of DNA methylation and the extensive cellular heterogeneity of the easily accessible surrogate cells that might contain information relevant to less accessible tissues necessitates the use of novel methods in order to account for these confounding issues. Furthermore, the engagement of the scientific community with health-care professionals, policymakers and the public is required in order to identify and address the organizational, ethical, legal, social and economic challenges associated with the routine use of epigenetic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Widschwendter
- Department of Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Allison Jones
- Department of Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Iona Evans
- Department of Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel Reisel
- Department of Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Joakim Dillner
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karin Sundström
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ewout W Steyerberg
- Center for Medical Decision Sciences, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, LUMC, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Yvonne Vergouwe
- Center for Medical Decision Sciences, Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Odette Wegwarth
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Harding Center for Risk Literacy, Berlin, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Center for Adaptive Rationality, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix G Rebitschek
- Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Harding Center for Risk Literacy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Uwe Siebert
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Health Services Research, and HTA, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria.,Harvard T. C. Chan School of Public Health, Center for Health Decision Science, Department of Health Policy and Management, Boston, MA, USA.,Oncotyrol: Center for Personalized Medicine, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gaby Sroczynski
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision Making and Health Technology Assessment, Department of Public Health, Health Services Research, and HTA, UMIT-University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tirol, Austria
| | - Inez D de Beaufort
- Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ineke Bolt
- Department of Medical Ethics and Philosophy of Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - David Cibula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Medical Faculty of the Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Zikan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, First Medical Faculty of the Charles University and General Faculty Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Line Bjørge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland University Hospital, and Centre for Cancer Biomarkers, Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Nicoletta Colombo
- European Institute of Oncology and University Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Nadia Harbeck
- Breast Center, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Munich (LMU), Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Dudbridge
- Department of Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Anne-Marie Tasse
- Public Population Project in Genomics and Society, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Yann Joly
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Andrew E Teschendorff
- Department of Women's Cancer, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nora Pashayan
- Department of Applied Health Research, Institute of Epidemiology and Healthcare, University College London, UK
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20
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Macke E, Callens M, De Meester L, Decaestecker E. Host-genotype dependent gut microbiota drives zooplankton tolerance to toxic cyanobacteria. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1608. [PMID: 29151571 PMCID: PMC5694789 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01714-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota impacts many aspects of its host's biology, and is increasingly considered as a key factor mediating performance of host individuals in continuously changing environments. Here we use gut microbiota transplants to show that both host genotype and gut microbiota mediate tolerance to toxic cyanobacteria in the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna. Interclonal variation in tolerance to cyanobacteria disappears when Daphnia are made germ-free and inoculated with an identical microbial inoculum. Instead, variation in tolerance among recipient Daphnia mirrors that of the microbiota donors. Metagenetic analyses point to host genotype and external microbial source as important determinants of gut microbiota assembly, and reveal strong differences in gut microbiota composition between tolerant and susceptible genotypes. Together, these results show that both environmentally and host genotype-induced variations in gut microbiota structure mediate Daphnia tolerance to toxic cyanobacteria, pointing to the gut microbiota as a driver of adaptation and acclimatization to cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in zooplankton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Macke
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Department of Biology, University of Leuven-Campus Kulak, E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Martijn Callens
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Department of Biology, University of Leuven-Campus Kulak, E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Luc De Meester
- Laboratory of Aquatic Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of Leuven, Charles Deberiotstraat 32, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Decaestecker
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biology, Department of Biology, University of Leuven-Campus Kulak, E. Sabbelaan 53, B-8500, Kortrijk, Belgium.
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21
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The microbiome-immune-host defense barrier complex (microimmunosome) and developmental programming of noncommunicable diseases. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 68:49-58. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2016.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 04/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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22
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Slattery J, MacFabe DF, Frye RE. The Significance of the Enteric Microbiome on the Development of Childhood Disease: A Review of Prebiotic and Probiotic Therapies in Disorders of Childhood. Clin Med Insights Pediatr 2016; 10:91-107. [PMID: 27774001 PMCID: PMC5063840 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s38338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the fact that the enteric microbiome, the trillions of microbes that inhabit the human digestive tract, has a significant effect on health and disease. Methods for manipulating the enteric microbiome, particularly through probiotics and microbial ecosystem transplantation, have undergone some study in clinical trials. We review some of the evidence for microbiome alteration in relation to childhood disease and discuss the clinical trials that have examined the manipulation of the microbiome in an effort to prevent or treat childhood disease with a primary focus on probiotics, prebiotics, and/or synbiotics (ie, probiotics + prebiotics). Studies show that alterations in the microbiome may be a consequence of events occurring during infancy and/or childhood such as prematurity, C-sections, and nosocomial infections. In addition, certain childhood diseases have been associated with microbiome alterations, namely necrotizing enterocolitis, infantile colic, asthma, atopic disease, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes, malnutrition, mood/anxiety disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Treatment studies suggest that probiotics are potentially protective against the development of some of these diseases. Timing and duration of treatment, the optimal probiotic strain(s), and factors that may alter the composition and function of the microbiome are still in need of further research. Other treatments such as prebiotics, fecal microbial transplantation, and antibiotics have limited evidence. Future translational work, in vitro models, long-term and follow-up studies, and guidelines for the composition and viability of probiotic and microbial therapies need to be developed. Overall, there is promising evidence that manipulating the microbiome with probiotics early in life can help prevent or reduce the severity of some childhood diseases, but further research is needed to elucidate biological mechanisms and determine optimal treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Slattery
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Derrick F. MacFabe
- The Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Departments of Psychology (Neuroscience) and Psychiatry, Division of Developmental Disabilities, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Richard E. Frye
- Arkansas Children’s Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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23
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Frye RE, Rose S, Chacko J, Wynne R, Bennuri SC, Slattery JC, Tippett M, Delhey L, Melnyk S, Kahler SG, MacFabe DF. Modulation of mitochondrial function by the microbiome metabolite propionic acid in autism and control cell lines. Transl Psychiatry 2016; 6:e927. [PMID: 27779624 PMCID: PMC5290345 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Propionic acid (PPA) is a ubiquitous short-chain fatty acid, which is a major fermentation product of the enteric microbiome. PPA is a normal intermediate of metabolism and is found in foods, either naturally or as a preservative. PPA and its derivatives have been implicated in both health and disease. Whereas PPA is an energy substrate and has many proposed beneficial effects, it is also associated with human disorders involving mitochondrial dysfunction, including propionic acidemia and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We aimed to investigate the dichotomy between the health and disease effects of PPA by measuring mitochondrial function in ASD and age- and gender-matched control lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) following incubation with PPA at several concentrations and durations both with and without an in vitro increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial function was optimally increased at particular exposure durations and concentrations of PPA with ASD LCLs, demonstrating a greater enhancement. In contrast, increasing ROS negated the positive PPA effect with the ASD LCLs, showing a greater detriment. These data demonstrate that enteric microbiome metabolites such as PPA can have both beneficial and toxic effects on mitochondrial function, depending on concentration, exposure duration and microenvironment redox state with these effects amplified in LCLs derived from individuals with ASD. As PPA, as well as enteric bacteria, which produce PPA, have been implicated in a wide variety of diseases, including ASD, diabetes, obesity and inflammatory diseases, insight into this metabolic modulator from the host microbiome may have wide applications for both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- R E Frye
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Slot 512-41B, 13 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA. E-mail:
| | - S Rose
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - J Chacko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - R Wynne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - S C Bennuri
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - J C Slattery
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - M Tippett
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - L Delhey
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - S Melnyk
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - S G Kahler
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - D F MacFabe
- Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Psychology/Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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24
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Frye RE, Rossignol DA. Identification and Treatment of Pathophysiological Comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder to Achieve Optimal Outcomes. CLINICAL MEDICINE INSIGHTS-PEDIATRICS 2016; 10:43-56. [PMID: 27330338 PMCID: PMC4910649 DOI: 10.4137/cmped.s38337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the fact that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) continues to rise, no effective medical treatments have become standard of care. In this paper we review some of the pathophysiological abnormalities associated with ASD and their potential associated treatments. Overall, there is evidence for some children with ASD being affected by seizure and epilepsy, neurotransmitter dysfunction, sleep disorders, metabolic abnormalities, including abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, redox and mitochondrial metabolism, and immune and gastrointestinal disorders. Although evidence for an association between these pathophysiological abnormalities and ASD exists, the exact relationship to the etiology of ASD and its associated symptoms remains to be further defined in many cases. Despite these limitations, treatments targeting some of these pathophysiological abnormalities have been studied in some cases with high-quality studies, whereas treatments for other pathophysiological abnormalities have not been well studied in many cases. There are some areas of more promising treatments specific for ASD including neurotransmitter abnormalities, particularly imbalances in glutamate and acetylcholine, sleep onset disorder (with behavioral therapy and melatonin), and metabolic abnormalities in folate, cobalamin, tetrahydrobiopterin, carnitine, and redox pathways. There is some evidence for treatments of epilepsy and seizures, mitochondrial and immune disorders, and gastrointestinal abnormalities, particularly imbalances in the enteric microbiome, but further clinical studies are needed in these areas to better define treatments specific to children with ASD. Clearly, there are some promising areas of ASD research that could lead to novel treatments that could become standard of care in the future, but more research is needed to better define subgroups of children with ASD who are affected by specific pathophysiological abnormalities and the optimal treatments for these abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Arkansas Children's Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.; Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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25
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Hodyl NA, Muhlhausler B. Novel insights, challenges and practical implications of DOHaD‐omics research. Med J Aust 2016; 204:108-10.e1. [DOI: 10.5694/mja14.01626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolette A Hodyl
- Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, and Neonatal Medicine, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, SA
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26
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Microbiome-Epigenome Interactions and the Environmental Origins of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2016; 62:208-19. [PMID: 26308318 PMCID: PMC4724338 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000000950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, has risen alarmingly in the Western and developing world in recent decades. Epidemiologic (including monozygotic twin and migrant) studies highlight the substantial role of environment and nutrition in IBD etiology. Here we review the literature supporting the developmental and environmental origins hypothesis of IBD. We also provide a detailed exploration of how the human microbiome and epigenome (primarily through DNA methylation) may be important elements in the developmental origins of IBD in both children and adults.
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27
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Petri V, Hayman GT, Tutaj M, Smith JR, Laulederkind S, Wang SJ, Nigam R, De Pons J, Shimoyama M, Dwinell MR. Disease, Models, Variants and Altered Pathways-Journeying RGD Through the Magnifying Glass. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2015; 14:35-48. [PMID: 27602200 PMCID: PMC4700298 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the pathogenesis of disease is instrumental in delineating its progression mechanisms and for envisioning ways to counteract it. In the process, animal models represent invaluable tools for identifying disease-related loci and their genetic components. Amongst them, the laboratory rat is used extensively in the study of many conditions and disorders. The Rat Genome Database (RGD—http://rgd.mcw.edu) has been established to house rat genetic, genomic and phenotypic data. Since its inception, it has continually expanded the depth and breadth of its content. Currently, in addition to rat genes, QTLs and strains, RGD houses mouse and human genes and QTLs and offers pertinent associated data, acquired through manual literature curation and imported via pipelines. A collection of controlled vocabularies and ontologies is employed for the standardized extraction and provision of biological data. The vocabularies/ontologies allow the capture of disease and phenotype associations of rat strains and QTLs, as well as disease and pathway associations of rat, human and mouse genes. A suite of tools enables the retrieval, manipulation, viewing and analysis of data. Genes associated with particular conditions or with altered networks underlying disease pathways can be retrieved. Genetic variants in humans or in sequenced rat strains can be searched and compared. Lists of rat strains and species-specific genes and QTLs can be generated for selected ontology terms and then analyzed, downloaded or sent to other tools. From many entry points, data can be accessed and results retrieved. To illustrate, diabetes is used as a case study to initiate and embark upon an exploratory journey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Petri
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - G Thomas Hayman
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Marek Tutaj
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jennifer R Smith
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Stan Laulederkind
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Shur-Jen Wang
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Rajni Nigam
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jeff De Pons
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mary Shimoyama
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
| | - Melinda R Dwinell
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, USA
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28
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Homburger SA, Drits-Esser D, Malone M, Stark LA. Microbes As Friends, Not Foes: Shifting the Focus from Pathogenesis to Symbiosis. THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER 2015; 77:659-668. [PMID: 33603248 PMCID: PMC7889014 DOI: 10.1525/abt.2015.77.9.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Until about two decades ago, the standard method of studying a microbe was to isolate it, grow it in culture, stain it, and examine it under a microscope. Today, new genomic tools are helping expand our view of the microbial world. Instead of viewing them as "germs" to be eliminated, we are beginning to perceive our microbes as an extension of ourselves - an important organ with unique functions essential to our well-being. Scientists even came up with a new term, "microbiome," to define our microbes' genes as an important counterpart to our human genome. With new information about the human microbiome comes the challenge of shifting biology students' focus from casting microbes as pathogens toward appreciating microbes as symbionts. "The Human Microbiome," a curriculum supplement produced by the Genetic Science Learning Center, emphasizes that microbes living in and on our bodies perform neutral and beneficial functions, that human microbiota form thriving ecosystems, and that disruptions to our microbial ecosystems may have consequences. In this article, we describe the curriculum materials, provide strategies for incorporating this cutting-edge topic into biology classrooms, list connections to the Next Generation Science Standards, and report on recent research testing the curriculum supplement's effectiveness for student learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheila A Homburger
- Genetic Science Learning Center (GSLC) at the University of Utah, 515 E 100 S, Suite 550, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
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29
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Frye RE, Slattery J, MacFabe DF, Allen-Vercoe E, Parker W, Rodakis J, Adams JB, Krajmalnik-Brown R, Bolte E, Kahler S, Jennings J, James J, Cerniglia CE, Midtvedt T. Approaches to studying and manipulating the enteric microbiome to improve autism symptoms. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2015; 26:26878. [PMID: 25956237 PMCID: PMC4425814 DOI: 10.3402/mehd.v26.26878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing body of scientific evidence that the health of the microbiome (the trillions of microbes that inhabit the human host) plays an important role in maintaining the health of the host and that disruptions in the microbiome may play a role in certain disease processes. An increasing number of research studies have provided evidence that the composition of the gut (enteric) microbiome (GM) in at least a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) deviates from what is usually observed in typically developing individuals. There are several lines of research that suggest that specific changes in the GM could be causative or highly associated with driving core and associated ASD symptoms, pathology, and comorbidities which include gastrointestinal symptoms, although it is also a possibility that these changes, in whole or in part, could be a consequence of underlying pathophysiological features associated with ASD. However, if the GM truly plays a causative role in ASD, then the manipulation of the GM could potentially be leveraged as a therapeutic approach to improve ASD symptoms and/or comorbidities, including gastrointestinal symptoms. One approach to investigating this possibility in greater detail includes a highly controlled clinical trial in which the GM is systematically manipulated to determine its significance in individuals with ASD. To outline the important issues that would be required to design such a study, a group of clinicians, research scientists, and parents of children with ASD participated in an interdisciplinary daylong workshop as an extension of the 1st International Symposium on the Microbiome in Health and Disease with a Special Focus on Autism (www.microbiome-autism.com). The group considered several aspects of designing clinical studies, including clinical trial design, treatments that could potentially be used in a clinical trial, appropriate ASD participants for the clinical trial, behavioral and cognitive assessments, important biomarkers, safety concerns, and ethical considerations. Overall, the group not only felt that this was a promising area of research for the ASD population and a promising avenue for potential treatment but also felt that further basic and translational research was needed to clarify the clinical utility of such treatments and to elucidate possible mechanisms responsible for a clinical response, so that new treatments and approaches may be discovered and/or fostered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Frye
- Division of Neurology, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA;
| | - John Slattery
- Division of Neurology, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Derrick F MacFabe
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Emma Allen-Vercoe
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - John Rodakis
- N of One: Autism Research Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - James B Adams
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Ellen Bolte
- N of One: Autism Research Foundation, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Stephen Kahler
- Division of Neurology, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | | | - Jill James
- Department of Developmental Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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