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A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System
Published on: August 30, 2019
A core gut microbiome in obese and lean twins
Peter J Turnbaugh1, Micah Hamady, Tanya Yatsunenko
1Center for Genome Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63108, USA.
Nature
|December 2, 2008
Summary
The human gut microbiome is shared among families, with a core set of microbial genes present in everyone. Obesity is linked to changes in microbial genes and diversity, indicating functional shifts in the gut microbiome.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Human Health
Background:
- The human gut microbiota performs vital metabolic functions, including energy extraction from indigestible polysaccharides.
- Previous studies in mice suggest the gut microbiota influences host energy balance and adiposity.
- Understanding the relationship between gut microbial diversity, function, and host genetics is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how host genotype, environment, and adiposity influence the gut microbiome composition and function.
- To identify shared microbial genes and functional elements across individuals within families.
- To determine if obesity is associated with specific alterations in the gut microbiome.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of fecal microbial communities from adult female monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs and their mothers.
- Sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes to assess microbial diversity and composition.
- Whole-genome shotgun sequencing to analyze the functional capacity of the gut microbiome.
Main Results:
- The human gut microbiome is shared among family members, with variations in specific bacterial lineages.
- A substantial 'core microbiome' exists at the gene level, despite organismal diversity.
- Obesity is associated with altered microbial phyla, reduced bacterial diversity, and changes in gene representation and metabolic pathways.
Conclusions:
- A diverse range of microbial communities can share a core functional microbiome.
- Deviations from this core microbiome are linked to different physiological states, such as obesity.
- Host factors significantly influence the gut microbiome, impacting host metabolism and health.
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