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Ileal mucosa-associated microbiota overgrowth associated with pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis
Shogo Kitahata1, Yasunori Yamamoto2, Osamu Yoshida1
1Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
Abstract:
The small intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) can potentially impact the etiology of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Herein, we investigate the MAM profile to determine its association with liver pathology in patients with PBC. Thirty-four patients with PBC and 21 healthy controls who underwent colonoscopy at our hospital were enrolled in our study. We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of MAM samples obtained from the mucosa of the terminal ileum and examined the relationship between the abundance of ileal MAM and chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis using liver specimens from patients with PBC. There was a significant reduction in microbial diversity within individuals with PBC (P = 0.039). Dysbiosis of ileal MAM was observed in patients with PBC, with a characteristic overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas. Multivariate analysis showed that the overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas is an independent association factor for PBC (P = 0.0429, P = 0.026). Moreover, the abundance of Sphingomonadaceae was associated with chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis in PBC (P = 0.00981). The overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas in ileal MAM was found in patients with PBC. Sphingomonadaceae may be associated with the pathological development of PBC.
Insights
Patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) show altered gut bacteria in the small intestine. Specific bacteria, Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas, were found to be overgrown and linked to liver damage in PBC.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic liver disease with an autoimmune component.
- The role of the small intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) in PBC pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the ileal MAM profile and liver pathology in patients with PBC.
- To identify specific microbial alterations in PBC patients.
Main Methods:
- 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed on MAM samples from the terminal ileum of 34 PBC patients and 21 healthy controls.
- Ileal MAM composition was correlated with histological findings of chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis in PBC liver specimens.
Main Results:
- PBC patients exhibited reduced microbial diversity in the ileal MAM.
- A significant dysbiosis was observed, characterized by the overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas in PBC patients.
- Overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas were independent risk factors for PBC.
- Sphingomonadaceae abundance was significantly associated with the severity of chronic nonsuppurative destructive cholangitis.
Conclusions:
- Ileal MAM dysbiosis, particularly the overgrowth of Sphingomonadaceae and Pseudomonas, is characteristic of PBC.
- Sphingomonadaceae may play a role in the pathological development of PBC.
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