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Updated: May 2, 2026
Guided Protocol for Fecal Microbial Characterization by 16S rRNA-Amplicon Sequencing
Published on: March 19, 2018
Altered gut microbial networks and metabolic pathways in multiple system atrophy: a comparative 16S rRNA study
Po-Chun Liu1, Shao-Ying Cheng2, Chih-Chi Li3
1Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Introduction:
The alterations in the gut microbial network in multiple system atrophy (MSA) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to identify key gut microbial interaction networks in MSA through comprehensive multimodal analyses.
Methods:
Demographic information and frozen fecal specimens were collected from 119 participants [MSA, n = 26; Parkinson's disease (PD), n = 66; healthy control (HC), n = 27]. Raw amplicons of the bacterial 16S rRNA V3-V4 gene region were processed using two methods: DADA2-denoising and clustering into operational taxonomic units. We conducted univariate and multivariable analyses to assess the differential abundance of bacterial genera and predicted metabolic pathways using four statistical methods: ANCOM, ANCOM-BC, ALDEx2, and MaAsLin 2. Interbacterial interactions were assessed using four correlation and two network analyses.
Results:
We consistently observed lower levels of Fusicatenibacter in MSA patients and lower levels of Butyricicoccus in PD patients compared with HCs (q < 0.05), both before and after adjusting for comorbidities, diet, and constipation status. The random forest classifiers effectively differentiated between MSA and PD, achieving high AUCs (0.75-0.78) in 5-fold cross-validation. A significant positive interbacterial interaction between Ruminococcus gnavus group and Erysipelatoclostridium was uniquely observed in MSA patients. Additionally, we identified an increase in the ARGORNPROST-PWY pathway (L-arginine degradation, q = 0.003) and a decrease in the PWY-6478 pathway (GDP-D-glycero-α-D-manno-heptose biosynthesis, q = 0.015) in MSA patients compared with HCs.
Conclusion:
Future studies are warranted to determine whether fecal microbiome-derived signatures can serve as reliable biomarkers for MSA.
Insights
Gut microbiome alterations in multiple system atrophy (MSA) are unclear. This study identified specific bacterial networks and metabolic pathways in MSA patients, suggesting potential diagnostic biomarkers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Gut-brain axis
Background:
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder with poorly understood gut microbial associations.
- Gut microbial dysbiosis is increasingly implicated in neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate key gut microbial interaction networks in multiple system atrophy (MSA) using comprehensive multimodal analyses.
- To identify potential microbial biomarkers for MSA diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Collected fecal samples from 119 participants (MSA, Parkinson's disease, healthy controls).
- Utilized 16S rRNA gene sequencing and advanced bioinformatics for bacterial profiling.
- Applied statistical methods (ANCOM, ANCOM-BC, ALDEx2, MaAsLin 2) for differential abundance analysis of genera and metabolic pathways.
- Performed correlation and network analyses to assess interbacterial interactions.
Main Results:
- Lower levels of Fusicatenibacter were observed in MSA patients compared to healthy controls.
- Distinct interbacterial interactions, including a positive association between Ruminococcus gnavus group and Erysipelatoclostridium, were identified in MSA.
- Alterations in specific metabolic pathways (increased ARGORNPROST-PWY, decreased PWY-6478) were noted in MSA patients.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbial signatures show potential as reliable biomarkers for multiple system atrophy.
- Further research is needed to validate these fecal microbiome-derived signatures for clinical use.
