Microbe and host interaction in gastrointestinal homeostasis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Gut-brain communication is increasingly recognized for its role in mental health.
• Host genetics and environmental factors shape gut microbiota composition and function.
• Understanding bottom-up microbiota-brain communication mechanisms at the gut barrier is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare gut microbiota composition and fecal microRNA (miRNA) profiles in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.
• To assess the relationship between microbiota, gastrointestinal homeostasis, and host-microbe signaling.
• To evaluate host responses to gut microbiota perturbation via broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment.

Main Methods:

• Fecal 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze gut microbiota composition.
• nCounter NanoString platform to determine fecal miRNA profiles.
• BLASTn analysis to identify conserved miRNA target regions in bacterial metagenomes.
• Broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment to perturb the gut microbiota.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in Prevotella, Alistipes, Akkermansia, and Ruminococcus genera between mouse strains.
• Identified 14 significant correlations between fecal miRNAs and predicted bacterial taxa abundance.
• Antibiotic treatment decreased barrier permeability in BALB/c mice and altered barrier gene expression in both strains.
• Parabacteroides and Bacteroides genera were associated with changes in gut barrier function.

Conclusions:

• Specific bacterial taxa significantly influence gut barrier integrity and function.
• Data contribute to understanding host-microbe interactions and microbiota-brain communication.
• Findings provide a foundation for future mechanistic studies on gut-brain axis.