Detection of gut microbiota and pathogen produced N-acyl homoserine in host circulation and tissues

Recent studies suggest that quorum-sensing molecules may play a role in gut microbiota-host crosstalk. However, whether microbiota produces quorum-sensing molecules and whether those molecules can trans-kingdom transport to the host are still unknown. Here, we develop a UPLC-MS/MS-based assay to screen the 27 N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) in the gut microbiota and host. Various AHL molecules are exclusively detected in the cecal contents, sera and livers from conventionally-raised mice but cannot be detected in germ-free mice. Pathogen-produced C4-HSL is detected in the cecal contents and sera of Citrobacter rodentium (C. rodentium)-infected mice, but not found in uninfected controls. Moreover, C. rodentium infection significantly increases the level of multiple AHL molecules in sera. Our findings demonstrate that both commensal and pathogenic bacteria, can produce AHLs that can be detected in host bodies, suggesting that quorum-sensing molecules could be a group of signaling molecules in trans-kingdom microbiota-host crosstalk.