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Comparative characterization of the infant gut microbiome and their maternal lineage by a multi-omics approach
Tomás Clive Barker-Tejeda1,2, Elisa Zubeldia-Varela1,2, Andrea Macías-Camero1,2
1Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Boadilla del Monte, Spain.
Insights
Infant gut microbiota differs significantly from adults, impacting health. This multi-generational study reveals early life microbiome development and its biochemical underpinnings, crucial for childhood health.
Area of Science:
- Human microbiome research
- Developmental biology
- Metabolomics and metagenomics
Background:
- The infant gut microbiome is critical for development, with early dysregulation linked to later health issues.
- Understanding the establishment and maturation of the gut microbiota in early life is essential for preventing disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early development of the gut microbiota across three generations of family members.
- To analyze the interplay between microbiota composition, function, and metabolome in infants compared to their elders.
Main Methods:
- Multi-omics approach including metabolomics (GC-MS, CE-MS) and metagenomics (16S rRNA and shotgun sequencing).
- Analysis of fecal samples from 200 individuals across three generations (infants, mothers, grandmothers).
Main Results:
- Infants exhibit distinct fecal microbiota populations, functions, and metabolomes compared to adults.
- Infant microbiota is less diverse and shows differences in key metabolites like short- and branched-chain fatty acids, linked to specific bacterial shifts.
- Significant variations in microbial and metabolic profiles were observed between infants and their elder relatives.
Conclusions:
- Early life gut microbiome development is characterized by unique microbial and metabolic profiles.
- These findings offer novel biochemical insights into the generational shaping of the gut microbiome.
- Understanding these early developmental patterns can inform strategies to improve childhood health outcomes.
Abstract:
The human gut microbiome establishes and matures during infancy, and dysregulation at this stage may lead to pathologies later in life. We conducted a multi-omics study comprising three generations of family members to investigate the early development of the gut microbiota. Fecal samples from 200 individuals, including infants (0-12 months old; 55% females, 45% males) and their respective mothers and grandmothers, were analyzed using two independent metabolomics platforms and metagenomics. For metabolomics, gas chromatography and capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry were applied. For metagenomics, both 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing were performed. Here we show that infants greatly vary from their elders in fecal microbiota populations, function, and metabolome. Infants have a less diverse microbiota than adults and present differences in several metabolite classes, such as short- and branched-chain fatty acids, which are associated with shifts in bacterial populations. These findings provide innovative biochemical insights into the shaping of the gut microbiome within the same generational line that could be beneficial in improving childhood health outcomes.
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