The microbiota and T cells non-genetically modulate inherited phenotypes transgenerationally

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Immunology
• Developmental Biology
• Epigenetics

Background:

• The host-microbiota relationship is crucial for mammalian physiology, influencing immunity, metabolism, and development.
• Germ-free models are essential for dissecting microbial impacts on host processes, particularly immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of microbial and immune factors in transgenerational inheritance of host phenotypes.
• To determine if non-genetic information in gametes contributes to inherited traits.

Main Methods:

• Utilized germ-free and T cell-deficient mouse models.
• Examined sebum secretion across multiple generations.
• Conducted in vitro fertilization using gametes from modified mice.
• Analyzed gene expression in early embryos.

Main Results:

• Germ-free and T cell-deficient mice exhibited persistent sebum secretion defects across generations.
• These defects were inherited by offspring conceived via in vitro fertilization with gametes from affected mice.
• Gene expression in early embryos derived from these gametes showed significant alterations.
• Non-genetic information in gametes was identified as a key mediator of this transgenerational transmission.

Conclusions:

• Microbial and immune systems regulate non-genetic information in gametes, enabling transgenerational inheritance of phenotypes in mice.
• This mechanism facilitates rapid phenotypic diversity, potentially aiding host adaptation to environmental changes.