Cytomegalovirus infection disrupts the influence of short-chain fatty acid producers on Treg/Th17 balance

Metagenomic comparison of intestinal microbiota between normal and liver fibrotic rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Liver fibrosis is an important pathological process in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis. Recent studies have found a close association between intestinal microbiota and the development of liver fibrosis. To determine whether there are differences in the intestinal microbiota between rhesus macaques with liver fibrosis (MG) and normal rhesus macaques (MN), fecal samples were collected from 8 male MG and 12 male MN. The biological composition of the intestinal microbiota was then detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results revealed statistically significant differences in ASVs and Chao1 in the alpha-diversity and the beta-diversity of intestinal microbiota between MG and MN. Both groups shared Prevotella and Lactobacillus as common dominant microbiota. However, beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus were significantly less abundant in MG (P = 0.02). Predictive functional analysis using PICRUSt2 gene prediction revealed that MG exhibited a higher relative abundance of functions related to substance transport and metabolic pathways. This study may provide insight into further exploration of the mechanisms by which intestinal microbiota affect liver fibrosis and its potential future use in treating liver fibrosis.

Enhanced Immunomodulatory Effects of Thymosin-Alpha-1 in Combination with Polyanionic Carbosilane Dendrimers against HCMV Infection

Resistance and toxicity associated with current treatments for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection highlight the need for alternatives and immunotherapy has emerged as a promising strategy. This study examined the in vitro immunological effects of co-administration of Thymosin-alpha-1 (Tα1) and polyanionic carbosilane dendrimers (PCDs) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during HCMV infection. The biocompatibility of PCDs was assessed via MTT and LDH assays. PBMCs were pre-treated with the co-administered compounds and then exposed to HCMV for 48 h. Morphological alterations in PBMCs were observed using optical microscopy and total dendritic cells (tDCs), myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), along with CD4+/CD8+ T cells and regulatory T cells (Treg), and were characterized using multiparametric flow cytometry. The findings revealed that Tα1 + PCDs treatments increased DC activation and maturation. Furthermore, increased co-receptor expression, intracellular IFNγ production in T cells and elevated Treg functionality and reduced senescence were evident with Tα1 + G2-S24P treatment. Conversely, reduced co-receptor expression, intracellular cytokine production in T cells, lower functionality and higher senescence in Treg were observed with Tα1 + G2S16 treatment. In summary, Tα1 + PCDs treatments demonstrate synergistic effects during early HCMV infection, suggesting their use as an alternative therapeutic for preventing virus infection.

A novel gut microbiome-immune axis influencing pathology in HCMV infected infants with neonatal cholestasis

The interplay of active HCMV infection with gut dysbiosis in the immunopathology of cholestasis in neonates and infants remains unexplored. In this study, we evaluated gut microbiome profiles and immune dysfunction in a cohort of HCMV infected cholestatic infants (IgM positive, N = 21; IgM negative, N = 25) compared to healthy infants, N = 10. HCMV infected IgM positive individuals exhibited increased clinical severity in terms of liver dysfunction, altered CD4+: CD8+ ratio, and elevated Granzyme B levels in cellular immune subsets. Gut microbiome analysis revealed distinct and differential diversity and composition within infected groups aligned with clinical severity reflected through the increased abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, reduced Bifidobacteria, and a unique signature mapping to the HCMV infected IgM negative group. Correlation analyses revealed associations between Bifidobacterium breve, Gammaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Clostridia, Finegoldia magna, Veillonella dispar, and Granzyme B expressing immune cell subsets. Our study describes a novel gut microbiome-immune axis that may influence disease severity in cholestatic infants with active HCMV infection.

Red Ginseng Dietary Fiber Shows Prebiotic Potential by Modulating Gut Microbiota in Dogs

Red ginseng, widely used in traditional medicine for various conditions, imparts health benefits mainly by modulating the gut microbiota in humans. Given the similarities in gut microbiota between humans and dogs, red ginseng-derived dietary fiber may have prebiotic potential in dogs; however, its effects on the gut microbiota in dogs remain elusive. This double-blinded, longitudinal study investigated the impact of red ginseng dietary fiber on the gut microbiota and host response in dogs. A total of 40 healthy household dogs were randomly assigned to low-dose (n = 12), high-dose (n = 16), or control (n = 12) groups and fed a normal diet supplemented with red ginseng dietary fiber (3 g/5 kg body weight per day, 8 g/5 kg per day, or no supplement, respectively) for 8 weeks. The gut microbiota of the dogs was analyzed at 4 weeks and 8 weeks using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples. Alpha diversity was significantly increased at 8 and 4 weeks in the low-dose and high-dose groups, respectively. Moreover, biomarker analysis showed that short-chain fatty acid producers such as Sarcina and Proteiniclasticum were significantly enriched, while potential pathogens such as Helicobacter were significantly decreased, indicating the increased gut health and pathogen resistance by red ginseng dietary fiber. Microbial network analysis showed that the complexity of microbial interactions was increased by both doses, indicating the increased stability of the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that red ginseng-derived dietary fiber could be used as a prebiotic to modulate gut microbiota and improve gut health in dogs. IMPORTANCE The canine gut microbiota is an attractive model for translational studies, as it responds to dietary interventions similarly to those in humans. Investigating the gut microbiota of household dogs that share the environment with humans can produce highly generalizable and reproducible results owing to their representativeness of the general canine population. This double-blind and longitudinal study investigated the impact of dietary fiber derived from red ginseng on the gut microbiota of household dogs. Red ginseng dietary fiber altered the canine gut microbiota by increasing diversity, enriching short-chain fatty acid-producing microbes, decreasing potential pathogens, and increasing the complexity of microbial interactions. These findings indicate that red ginseng-derived dietary fiber may promote canine gut health by modulating gut microbiota, suggesting the possibility of its use as a potential prebiotic.

Targeting Th17 cells: a promising strategy to treat oral mucosal inflammatory diseases

With the improved quality of life, oral health is under increased pressure. Numerous common oral mucosal diseases, such as oral lichen planus(OLP) and gingivitis, are related to the destruction of the oral immune barrier. The cytokines secreted by T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are essential for maintaining oral immune homeostasis and play essential roles in immune surveillance. When antigens stimulate the epithelium, Th17 cells expand, differentiate, and generate inflammatory factors to recruit other lymphocytes, such as neutrophils, to clear the infection, which helps to maintain the integrity of the epithelial barrier. In contrast, excessive Th17/IL-17 axis reactions may cause autoimmune damage. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the role of Th17 cells in oral mucosa may provide prospects for treating oral mucosal diseases. We reviewed the role of Th17 cells in various oral and skin mucosal systemic diseases with oral characteristics, and based on the findings of these reports, we emphasize that Th17 cellular response may be a critical factor in inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa. In addition, we should pay attention to the role and relationship of "pathogenic Th17" and "non-pathogenic Th17" in oral mucosal diseases. We hope to provide a reference for Th17 cells as a potential therapeutic target for treating oral mucosal inflammatory disorders in the future.