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Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment Strategies with the NEC-on-a-Chip Model
Published on: July 28, 2023
Autoinducer-2 May Be a New Biomarker for Monitoring Neonatal Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Chun-Yan Fu1,2,3,4,5,6, Lu-Quan Li1,2,3,4,5,6, Ting Yang1,2,3,4,5,6
1Department of Neonatal Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Abstract:
Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) has a widely accepted role in bacterial intra- and interspecies communication. Little is known about the relationships between AI-2 and NEC. This study found that AI-2 levels in patients and in a NEC mouse model were detected using the Vibrio harveyi BB170 assay system. Bacterial communities of the newborns' stool microbiota (NEC acute group, NEC recovery group, control group, and antibiotics-free group) and of the NEC mouse model (NEC group and control group) were detected by high-throughput sequencing. Intestinal histopathological changes were observed after HE staining. The AI-2 level in the NEC acute group (44.75 [40.17~65.52]) was significantly lower than that in the control group, NEC recovery group and antibiotics-free group. The overall microbiota compositions of each group at the phylum level were not significantly different. The proportions of Enterococcus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Peptoclostridium, and Veillonella had significant differences among the 4 groups at the genus level. In animal experiments, the AI-2 level in feces of NEC mice (56.89 ± 11.87) was significantly lower than that in the feces of control group mice (102.70 ± 22.97). The microbiota compositions of NEC and control group mice at the phylum level were not significantly different. At the genus level, Klebsiella, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Peptoclostridium abundances in the NEC group increased significantly compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, Lactobacillus, Pasteurella, and Parabacteroides abundances in the NEC group decreased significantly compared with those in the normal control group (P < 0.05), while Lactobacillus, Pasteurella, and Parabacteroides abundances had the opposite trend. The AI-2 concentration decreased significantly in the acute phase of NEC and increased gradually in the convalescent phase. We conclude that the concentration of AI-2 was correlated with intestinal flora disorder and different stages of disease. AI-2 may be a new biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of NEC. Trial Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; ChiCTR-ROC-17013746; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
Insights
Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) levels are significantly lower in patients and mice with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). AI-2 concentration correlates with gut microbiota disorder and NEC disease stages, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Gastroenterology
Background:
- Autoinducer-2 (AI-2) is crucial for bacterial communication.
- The relationship between AI-2 and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate AI-2 levels in NEC patients and a mouse model.
- To explore the correlation between AI-2, intestinal microbiota, and NEC progression.
Main Methods:
- AI-2 levels were measured using the Vibrio harveyi BB170 assay.
- Bacterial communities were analyzed via high-throughput sequencing.
- Intestinal histopathology was assessed using HE staining.
Main Results:
- AI-2 levels were significantly lower in acute NEC patients and NEC mice compared to controls.
- NEC was associated with significant alterations in gut microbiota at the genus level, including increased Enterococcus and decreased Lactobacillus.
- AI-2 concentration decreased in acute NEC and gradually increased during recovery.
Conclusions:
- AI-2 concentration is correlated with intestinal flora disorder and NEC disease stages.
- AI-2 shows potential as a novel biomarker for NEC diagnosis and monitoring.
