Wild mouse gut microbiota limits initial tuberculosis infection in BALB/c mice
Min Xie1, Chen-Yu Tsai1, Zachary L McAdams2
1Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, United States of America.
Plos One
|July 26, 2023
Summary
The wild mouse gut microbiota improved early tuberculosis (TB) control in BALB/c mice but did not alter lung immunopathology. TB infection caused gut dysbiosis in both conventional and wild-microbiota-reconstituted mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Tuberculosis Research
Background:
- Mouse models are essential for tuberculosis (TB) research.
- The wild mouse gut microbiota enhances host fitness and disease resistance.
- Investigating the impact of wild gut microbiota on TB immunopathology is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the wild mouse gut microbiota influences TB immunopathology in BALB/c mice.
- To compare TB infection control and immune responses between conventional and wild-microbiota-reconstituted mice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized conventional BALB/c (LabC) and germ-free BALB/c mice reconstituted with wild gut microbiota (WildR).
- Inoculated mice with Mycobacterium tuberculosis to establish TB infection.
- Analyzed gut microbial composition, lung histopathology, and T cell responses (CD4, CD8).
Main Results:
- WildR mice exhibited better control of initial TB infection compared to LabC mice.
- Gut microbiota composition differed significantly between cohorts prior to infection.
- TB infection reduced gut microbial richness in both groups, indicating dysbiosis.
- Lung histopathology was similar in both groups; WildR mice had lower T cell counts in lungs during acute infection.
Conclusions:
- The wild mouse gut microbiota enhances early TB infection control in BALB/c mice.
- Gut microbiota composition is altered by TB infection, leading to dysbiosis.
- Wild gut microbiota does not significantly change the characteristic lung immunopathology of TB in this model.
