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Modulating Cardiac-Gut Microbiome Interaction Post-Myocardial Infarction with Engineered Bacteria.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|May 18, 2026
Summary
Myocardial infarction (MI) compromises gut integrity, allowing gut bacteria to enter the heart. Engineered bacteria delivering anti-inflammatory molecules improved survival and cardiac function in MI mice.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Microbiome Research
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The gut microbiome is crucial in acute myocardial infarction (MI) pathophysiology.
- MI compromises intestinal integrity, leading to systemic leakage of bacterial products.
- A novel heart-gut axis involves gut bacteria translocating to the MI heart.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of MI on gut integrity and bacterial translocation.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of engineered gut bacteria in MI.
- To elucidate the role of the heart-gut axis in MI recovery.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a murine model of acute myocardial infarction.
- Administered orally E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) as a tracer bacterium.
- Engineered EcN to express a microbial anti-inflammatory molecule (MAM) from Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.
Main Results:
- MI led to compromised gut integrity and systemic leakage of bacterial products.
- Live gut bacteria were found translocated and colonized in the MI heart.
- Treatment with engineered EcN-MAM improved survival and cardiac function in MI mice.
- EcN-MAM enhanced gut barrier integrity, reducing systemic bacterial permeation and inflammation.
Conclusions:
- MI induces a novel heart-gut axis involving bacterial translocation to the heart.
- Engineered microbiome-based therapies show promise for MI management.
- Targeting the heart-gut axis may offer new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
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