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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Author Spotlight: Insight Into Advances in Prion Diseases Research
Published on: August 11, 2023
Identification of an altered gut microbiome and the protective effect of microbiome changer in prion diseases
Yong-Chan Kim1,2, Sae-Young Won3,4, Byung-Hoon Jeong5,6
1Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, 36729, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Prion diseases are fatal and contagious brain disorders caused by a pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) derived from the benign prion protein (PrPC). To date, there are no therapeutic substances to completely block prion diseases. Thus, the development of a therapeutic substance is necessary, and the identification of a novel biomarker of prion disease is the first essential step to develop new drugs. In the present study, we carried out a metagenomic analysis to identify microbiome biomarkers for prion disease using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics tools in intraperitoneally prion-infected mice. In addition, we evaluated the protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a potent microbiome changer, in prion-infected mice by western blotting and survival analysis. We found a total of 14 differentially abundant taxa between prion-infected and control mice. In addition, we found that prion diseases caused altered microbiome networks and upregulation of DNA repair-related pathways. Furthermore, we observed the protective effect of the microbiome changer EGCG against prion disease in prion-infected mice. Given previous reports of microbiome alterations in prion diseases, we further validated these associations and demonstrated the protective effects of a microbiome-modulating compound.
Insights
Prion diseases alter gut microbiome composition. Targeting the microbiome with epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) shows protective effects in mouse models, offering a potential therapeutic avenue.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with no current cures.
- Pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc) causes disease by converting benign prion protein (PrPC).
- Developing new therapeutics necessitates identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify microbiome biomarkers for prion disease using metagenomic analysis.
- To investigate the protective effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in prion-infected mice.
- To explore the relationship between prion disease, microbiome alterations, and DNA repair pathways.
Main Methods:
- Metagenomic analysis of gut microbiota in prion-infected and control mice.
- Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics for microbiome profiling.
- Western blotting and survival analysis to assess EGCG's efficacy.
Main Results:
- Identified 14 differentially abundant microbial taxa between prion-infected and control groups.
- Prion disease induced significant alterations in microbiome networks and upregulated DNA repair pathways.
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) demonstrated a protective effect against prion disease progression in mice.
Conclusions:
- Microbiome alterations serve as potential biomarkers for prion disease.
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) exhibits therapeutic potential by modulating the microbiome.
- Targeting the microbiome represents a promising strategy for developing novel prion disease therapeutics.
