The ocular surface microbiome of rhesus macaques

Area of Science:

• Microbiome research
• Ocular surface science
• Primate biology

Background:

• The ocular surface microbiome (OSM) is crucial for eye health, with its variations linked to human diseases.
• Human studies on OSM-disease dynamics are complicated by lifestyle factors.
• Animal models offer a way to study the OSM without human confounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the rhesus macaque OSM.
• To investigate correlations between OSM composition and host factors like age, sex, and living conditions.
• To establish rhesus macaques as a model for ocular surface microbiome research.

Main Methods:

• 16S V3/V4 MiSeq sequencing of eyelid and conjunctival swabs from 132 rhesus macaques.
• Analysis of alpha diversity, beta diversity, and differential abundance.
• Comparison between captive and free-ranging macaques, and across different ages and sexes.

Main Results:

• Rhesus macaque OSM shares similarities with human OSM in top Phyla and Genera.
• Younger macaques and free-ranging macaques exhibited higher alpha diversity.
• Beta diversity was primarily influenced by individual identity and living conditions, not sex.

Conclusions:

• Rhesus macaque OSM composition is shaped by age, individual identity, and environment.
• Significant differences in OSM diversity were observed based on host variables and environment.
• Rhesus macaques are a promising model for studying OSM, ocular health, and disease.