Gut Luminal Contents Research Articles

Bitter taste receptors as sensors of gut luminal contents.

Taste is important in the selection of food and is orchestrated by a group of distinct receptors, the taste G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Taste 1 receptors (Tas1rs in mice and TAS1Rs in humans; also known as T1Rs) detect sweet and umami tastes, and taste 2 receptors (Tas2rs in mice and TAS2Rs in humans; also known as T2Rs) detect bitterness. These receptors are also expressed in extraoral sites, including the gastrointestinal mucosa. Tas2rs/TAS2Rs have gained interest as potential targets to prevent or treat metabolic disorders. These bitter taste receptors are expressed in functionally distinct types of gastrointestinal mucosal cells, including enteroendocrine cells, which, upon stimulation, increase intracellular Ca2+ and release signalling molecules that regulate gut chemosensory processes critical for digestion and absorption of nutrients, for neutralization and expulsion of harmful substances, and for metabolic regulation. Expression of Tas2rs/TAS2Rs in gut mucosa is upregulated by high-fat diets, and intraluminal bitter 'tastants' affect gastrointestinal functions and ingestive behaviour through local and gut-brain axis signalling. Tas2rs/TAS2Rs are also found in Paneth and goblet cells, which release antimicrobial peptides and glycoproteins, and in tuft cells, which trigger type 2 immune response against parasites, thus providing a direct line of defence against pathogens. This Review will focus on gut Tas2r/TAS2R distribution, signalling and regulation in enteroendocrine cells, supporting their role as chemosensors of luminal content that serve distinct functions as regulators of body homeostasis and immune response.

Discovery of Tetrahydro Tanshinone I as a Naturally Occurring Covalent Pan-Inhibitor Against Gut Microbial Bile Salt Hydrolases.

Gut microbial bile salt hydrolases (gmBSHs), an important class of bacteria-produced cysteine hydrolases, play a crucial role in bile acid metabolism. Modulating the total gmBSH activity is a feasible way for ameliorating some metabolic diseases including colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. This study reported the discovery and characterization of a botanical compound as a covalent pan-inhibitor of gmBSHs. Following the screening of more than 100 botanical compounds, tanshinones were found with strong time-dependent anti-EfBSH effects. After that, a total of 17 naturally occurring tanshinones were collected, and their anti-EfBSH potentials were tested. Among all tested tanshinones, tetrahydro tanshinone I (THTI) exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects against five gmBSHs (EfBSH, LsBSH, BtBSH, CpBSH, and BlBSH), showing the IC50 values ranging from 0.28 ± 0.05 μM to 1.62 ± 0.07 μM. Further investigations showed that THTI could covalently modify the conserved catalytic cysteine (Cys2) of all tested gmBSHs, while this agent could strongly inhibit the total gmBSHs activity in live microorganisms and murine gut luminal content. Collectively, THTI is identified as a naturally occurring covalent pan-inhibitor of gmBSHs, which offers a promising lead compound to develop more efficacious gmBSHs inhibitors for the management of bile acid metabolism and related metabolic disorders.

Infectious bronchitis virus vaccination, but not the presence of XCR1, is correlated with large differences in chicken caecal microbiota.

The chicken immune system and microbiota play vital roles in maintaining gut homeostasis and protecting against pathogens. In mammals, XCR1+ conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are located in the gut-draining lymph nodes and play a major role in gut homeostasis. These cDCs sample antigens in the gut luminal contents and limit the inflammatory response to gut commensal microbes by generating appropriate regulatory and effector T-cell responses. We hypothesized that these cells play similar roles in sustaining gut homeostasis in chickens, and that chickens lacking XCR1 were likely to contain a dysbiotic caecal microbiota. Here we compare the caecal microbiota of chickens that were either heterozygous or homozygous XCR1 knockouts, that had or had not been vaccinated for infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). We used short-read (Illumina) and long-read (PacBio HiFi) metagenomic sequencing to reconstruct 670 high-quality, strain-level metagenome assembled genomes. We found no significant differences between alpha diversity or the abundance of specific microbial taxa between genotypes. However, IBV vaccination was found to correlate with significant differences in the richness and beta diversity of the microbiota, and to the abundance of 40 bacterial genera. In conclusion, we found that a lack of XCR1 was not correlated with significant changes in the chicken microbiota, but IBV vaccination was.

A51 MICROBIALLY-MEDIATED IMPAIRMENT OF VAGAL AFFERENT NEURONAL EXCITABILITY IS OREXIN RECEPTOR DEPENDENT

Abstract Background An impairment of vagally-mediated satiety signalling has been implicated in the caloric imbalance that leads to weight gain during obesity. Previous studies have suggested that a reduction in the excitability of vagal afferent neurons with cell bodies in nodose ganglia (NG) was responsible, but the cellular mechanisms are unclear. Host and bacterially derived mediators present in the small intestine and stool provide a physiologically relevant model to help elucidate the role luminal mediators play in modulating vagal afferent neuronal excitability. Aims We hypothesize that the microbiota of obese individuals and mice produce mediators that impair NG neuron excitability and satiety in mice. Methods Perforated patch clamp was used to measure the excitability of NG neurons following exposure to human and mouse fecal supernatants (FS), mouse jejunal supernatants (JS), and mice serum samples. Human FS were from ampersand:003E 5 healthy human donors or FS from ampersand:003E 5 obese donors. Mice FS, JS and serum samples were collected from ampersand:003E 5 obese mice fed a high-fat diet and ampersand:003E 5 control mice fed a normal diet. Results NG neurons incubated in FS from obese participants were significantly less excitable (rheobase was 30% higher and action potential discharge at 2x rheobase was 50% lower) than NG neurons exposed to FS from non-obese participants. NG neurons incubated in FS or JS from obese mice were also significantly less excitable (rheobase was 65% higher and action potential discharge at 2x rheobase was 50% lower) than NG neurons incubated with FS or JS from control mice. Lastly, NG neurons incubated with obese mouse serum were significantly less excitable (rheobase was 50% higher and action potential discharge at 2x rheobase was 80% lower) than NG neurons incubated with serum from control mice. We then attempted to identify mediators that may account for this inhibitory effect by using receptor antagonists that block GABA, ghrelin, and orexin signalling. Ghrelin and GABA receptor antagonists did not block the inhibitory effect of obese patients’ FS on NG neurons but the orexin receptor 1 antagonist (SB-334867;10µM) did. Following this, we incubated the orexin receptor 1 antagonist (SB-334867;10µM) on NG neurons incubated with mouse FS and JS and observed a similar blocking of inhibitory effects back to control values. Conclusions These findings suggest that the gut luminal contents of obese mice and humans contain an orexin receptor agonist that inhibits satiety and may contribute to over-eating. Funding Agencies CIHRNSERC

Milk oligosaccharide-driven persistence of Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum modulates local and systemic microbial metabolites upon synbiotic treatment in conventionally colonized mice

BackgroundBifidobacteria represent an important gut commensal in humans, particularly during initial microbiome assembly in the first year of life. Enrichment of Bifidobacterium is mediated though the utilization of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), as several human-adapted species have dedicated genomic loci for transport and metabolism of these glycans. This results in the release of fermentation products into the gut lumen which may offer physiological benefits to the host. Synbiotic pairing of probiotic species with a cognate prebiotic delivers a competitive advantage, as the prebiotic provides a nutrient niche.MethodsTo determine the fitness advantage and metabolic characteristics of an HMO-catabolizing Bifidobacterium strain in the presence or absence of 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL), conventionally colonized mice were gavaged with either Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum MP80 (B.p. MP80) (as the probiotic) or saline during the first 3 days of the experiment and received water or water containing 2′-FL (as the prebiotic) throughout the study.Results16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that mice provided only B.p. MP80 were observed to have a similar microbiota composition as control mice throughout the experiment with a consistently low proportion of Bifidobacteriaceae present. Using 1H NMR spectroscopy, similar metabolic profiles of gut luminal contents and serum were observed between the control and B.p. MP80 group. Conversely, synbiotic supplemented mice exhibited dramatic shifts in their community structure across time with an overall increased, yet variable, proportion of Bifidobacteriaceae following oral inoculation. Parsing the synbiotic group into high and moderate bifidobacterial persistence based on the median proportion of Bifidobacteriaceae, significant differences in gut microbial diversity and metabolite profiles were observed. Notably, metabolites associated with the fermentation of 2′-FL by bifidobacteria were significantly greater in mice with a high proportion of Bifidobacteriaceae in the gut suggesting metabolite production scales with population density. Moreover, 1,2-propanediol, a fucose fermentation product, was only observed in the liver and brain of mice harboring high proportions of Bifidobacteriaceae.ConclusionsThis study reinforces that the colonization of the gut with a commensal microorganism does not guarantee a specific functional output.3PG9EvfQrbeVULfWFqBZHnVideo

268-LB: Dietary Resistant Starch Supplementation Upregulates Deoxycholic Acid Production in Mice

The gut microbiome plays an important role in the regulation of metabolic health, largely through the metabolites it produces, making it an important target for management and prevention of diabetes. Some of the most abundant metabolites produced by the gut microbiome are bile acids. Primary bile acids produced in the liver are converted into secondary bile acids by bacteria in the gut via 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation. These secondary bile acids are strong ligands for bile acid receptors known to improve glycemic regulation. However, the bacteria and enzymatic pathways involved in 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation have not been fully defined. Therefore, we are developing tools with which to study the dynamic regulation of gut bacterial 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation. In this study, we hypothesized that feeding mice a diet rich in resistant starch (RS) would alter the gut microbiome to favor bacteria capable of executing 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation. To test this, mice were fed a diet supplemented with RS or an isocaloric (IC) control diet. Profiling of gut luminal bile acids shows that RS supplementation proportionally increases the production of the secondary bile acid, deoxycholic acid (DCA) (DCA as a proportion of total bile acids in gut luminal contents: IC = 0.16 ± 0.03 RS = 0.55 ± 0.08, P = 0.001). RS tended to decrease unconjugated cholic acid (CA) concentrations, the substrate for 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation in DCA production, compared to IC-fed controls. Hepatic expression of the enzyme required for production of CA, Cyp8b1, did not differ between groups. Therefore, these data suggest that RS-induced increases in DCA are due to increased gut bacterial conversion of CA to DCA. Determining which bacteria can carry out 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation is critical to targeting gut bacterial bile acid metabolism. This study demonstrates that RS supplementation upregulates DCA production, identifying RS supplementation as a tool with which to define the dynamic regulation of 7-ɑ-dehydroxylation by gut bacteria. Disclosure M. Reuter: None. M. Tucker: None. Z. Marfori: None. R. Shishani: None. J. M. Bustamante: None. R. Moreno: None. B. Cummings: None.

The Potential Role of Microorganisms on Enteric Nervous System Development and Disease

The enteric nervous system (ENS), the inherent nervous system of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a vast nervous system that controls key GI functions, including motility. It functions at a critical interface between the gut luminal contents, including the diverse population of microorganisms deemed the microbiota, as well as the autonomic and central nervous systems. Critical development of this axis of interaction, a key determinant of human health and disease, appears to occur most significantly during early life and childhood, from the pre-natal through to the post-natal period. These factors that enable the ENS to function as a master regulator also make it vulnerable to damage and, in turn, a number of GI motility disorders. Increasing attention is now being paid to the potential of disruption of the microbiota and pathogenic microorganisms in the potential aetiopathogeneis of GI motility disorders in children. This article explores the evidence regarding the relationship between the development and integrity of the ENS and the potential for such factors, notably dysbiosis and pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites, to impact upon them in early life.

Big Data in Gastroenterology Research.

Studying individual data types in isolation provides only limited and incomplete answers to complex biological questions and particularly falls short in revealing sufficient mechanistic and kinetic details. In contrast, multi-omics approaches to studying health and disease permit the generation and integration of multiple data types on a much larger scale, offering a comprehensive picture of biological and disease processes. Gastroenterology and hepatobiliary research are particularly well-suited to such analyses, given the unique position of the luminal gastrointestinal (GI) tract at the nexus between the gut (mucosa and luminal contents), brain, immune and endocrine systems, and GI microbiome. The generation of 'big data' from multi-omic, multi-site studies can enhance investigations into the connections between these organ systems and organisms and more broadly and accurately appraise the effects of dietary, pharmacological, and other therapeutic interventions. In this review, we describe a variety of useful omics approaches and how they can be integrated to provide a holistic depiction of the human and microbial genetic and proteomic changes underlying physiological and pathophysiological phenomena. We highlight the potential pitfalls and alternatives to help avoid the common errors in study design, execution, and analysis. We focus on the application, integration, and analysis of big data in gastroenterology and hepatobiliary research.

Strain level and comprehensive microbiome analysis in inflammatory bowel disease via multi-technology meta-analysis identifies key bacterial influencers of disease.

ObjectiveInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a heterogenous disease in which the microbiome has been shown to play an important role. However, the precise homeostatic or pathological functions played by bacteria remain unclear. Most published studies report taxa-disease associations based on single-technology analysis of a single cohort, potentially biasing results to one clinical protocol, cohort, and molecular analysis technology. To begin to address this key question, precise identification of the bacteria implicated in IBD across cohorts is necessary.MethodsWe sought to take advantage of the numerous and diverse studies characterizing the microbiome in IBD to develop a multi-technology meta-analysis (MTMA) as a platform for aggregation of independently generated datasets, irrespective of DNA-profiling technique, in order to uncover the consistent microbial modulators of disease. We report the largest strain-level survey of IBD, integrating microbiome profiles from 3,407 samples from 21 datasets spanning 15 cohorts, three of which are presented for the first time in the current study, characterized using three DNA-profiling technologies, mapping all nucleotide data against known, culturable strain reference data.ResultsWe identify several novel IBD associations with culturable strains that have so far remained elusive, including two genome-sequenced but uncharacterized Lachnospiraceae strains consistently decreased in both the gut luminal and mucosal contents of patients with IBD, and demonstrate that these strains are correlated with inflammation-related pathways that are known mechanisms targeted for treatment. Furthermore, comparative MTMA at the species versus strain level reveals that not all significant strain associations resulted in a corresponding species-level significance and conversely significant species associations are not always re-captured at the strain level.ConclusionWe propose MTMA for uncovering experimentally testable strain-disease associations that, as demonstrated here, are beneficial in discovering mechanisms underpinning microbiome impact on disease or novel targets for therapeutic interventions.

Lower systemic inflammation is associated with gut firmicutes dominance and reduced liver injury in a novel ambulatory model of parenteral nutrition

Background Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) provides lifesaving nutritional support to patients unable to maintain regular enteral nutrition (EN). Unfortunately, cholestasis is a significant side effect affecting 20–40% of paediatric patients. While the aetiology of TPN-associated injury remains ill-defined, an altered enterohepatic circulation in the absence of gut luminal nutrient content during TPN results in major gut microbial clonal shifts, resulting in metabolic endotoxemia and systemic inflammation driving liver injury and cholestasis. Hypothesis To interrogate the role of gut microbiota, using our novel ambulatory TPN piglet model, we hypothesized that clonal reduction of bacteria in Firmicutes phylum (predominant in EN) and an increase in pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria during TPN correlates with an increase in serum lipopolysaccharide and systemic inflammatory cytokines, driving liver injury. Methods Upon institutional approval, 16 animals were allocated to receive either TPN (n = 7) or EN only (n = 9). The TPN group was subdivided into a low systemic inflammation (TPN-LSI) and high systemic inflammation (TPN-HSI) based on the level of serum lipopolysaccharide. Culture-independent identification of faecal bacterial populations was determined by 16S rRNA. Results Piglets on TPN, in the TPN-HSI group, noted a loss of enterocyte protective Firmicutes bacteria and clonal proliferation of potent inflammatory and lipopolysaccharide containing pathogens: Fusobacterium, Bacteroidetes and Campylobacter compared to EN animals. Within the TPN group, the proportion of Firmicutes phylum correlated with lower portal lipopolysaccharide levels (r = −0.89). The TPN-LSI had a significantly lower level of serum bile acids compared to the TPN-HSI group (7.3 vs. 60.4 mg/dL; p = .018), increased day 14 weight (5.67 vs. 5.07 kg; p = .017) as well as a 13.7-fold decrease in serum conjugated bilirubin. Conclusion We demonstrate a novel relationship between the gut microbiota and systemic inflammation in a TPN animal model. Pertinently, the degree of gut dysbiosis correlated with the severity of systemic inflammation. This study underscores the role of gut microbiota in driving liver injury mechanisms during TPN and supports a paradigm change in therapeutic targeting of the gut microbiota to mitigate TPN-related injury. KEY MESSAGES This study identified a differential link between gut microbiota and inflammation—the higher the dysbiosis, the worse the systemic inflammatory markers. Higher levels of Firmicutes species correlated with reduced inflammation.

Altered Expression of ACE2 and Co-receptors of SARS-CoV-2 in the Gut Mucosa of the SIV Model of HIV/AIDS.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, is initiated by its binding to the ACE2 receptor and other co-receptors on mucosal epithelial cells. Variable outcomes of the infection and disease severity can be influenced by pre-existing risk factors. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS, targets the gut mucosal immune system and impairs epithelial barriers and mucosal immunity. We sought to determine the impact and mechanisms of pre-existing HIV infection increasing mucosal vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease. We investigated changes in the expression of ACE2 and other SARS-CoV-2 receptors and related pathways in virally inflamed gut by using the SIV infected rhesus macaque model of HIV/AIDS. Immunohistochemical analysis showed sustained/enhanced ACE2 expression in the gut epithelium of SIV infected animals compared to uninfected controls. Gut mucosal transcriptomic analysis demonstrated enhanced expression of host factors that support SARS-CoV-2 entry, replication, and infection. Metabolomic analysis of gut luminal contents revealed the impact of SIV infection as demonstrated by impaired mitochondrial function and decreased immune response, which render the host more vulnerable to other pathogens. In summary, SIV infection resulted in sustained or increased ACE2 expression in an inflamed and immune-impaired gut mucosal microenvironment. Collectively, these mucosal changes increase the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity and result in ineffective viral clearance. Our study highlights the use of the SIV model of AIDS to fill the knowledge gap of the enteric mechanisms of co-infections as risk factors for poor disease outcomes, generation of new viral variants and immune escape in COVID-19.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the gastrointestinal tract shows reduced small bowel motility and altered chyme in cystic fibrosis compared to controls

People with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience digestive symptoms but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here we explore causes and consequences of slower gastrointestinal transit using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twelve people with CF and 12 healthy controls, matched for age and gender, underwent MRI scans, both fasted and after standardised meals, over 6.5 h. Fasted small bowel motility scores were lower in CF than in controls. No difference in ascending colon chyme T1 was detected. The difference in texture between small bowel and colon contents, seen in health, was diminished in CF. The ascending colon in CF participants had an abnormal appearance compared to controls. MRI offers unique potential to evaluate gut luminal content, colonic mucosa and intestinal motor activity. These new data support the theoretical cycle of desiccation, dysmotility and delayed transit as a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in CF.

At the right time in the right place: How do luminal gradients position the microbiota along the gut?

The gastrointestinal system is highly compartmentalized, where individual segments perform separate tasks to achieve common physiological goals. The gut luminal content, chyme, changes its chemical and physical properties as it passes through different intestinal segments. Together, the chyme composition, mucus, pH and oxygen gradients along the gut create a variety of highly distinct ecological niches that form, maintain and reinforce the symbiosis with the particular microbiota. Hosting different microbiota members at specific locations creates one of the most complex and sophisticated gradient - gradient of the local ecosystems that live and interact with each other, providing advantages and challenges to the host and creating our microbial self. Here, we discuss how intestinal luminal gradients are created and maintained in homeostasis, their role in a correct microbiota positioning, and their change upon inflammation and cancer.

Oxygen concentration of gut luminal contents varies post-prandially in growing pigs.

The oxygen (O2 ) concentration of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) contents decreases distally, but little is known about how O2 concentrations are influenced by ingestion of a meal. The O2 concentration in luminal contents at different GIT locations (stomach [cardia and pylorus], proximal, mid- and distal small intestine and caecum) and how these concentrations changed post-prandially were determined. Fifty entire male pigs (22kg bodyweight at the start of study) were fed semi-synthetic diets containing casein, α-lactalbumin, whey protein isolate or zein as the sole source of protein for 8days. A further group of pigs received the casein diet for six days and a semi-synthetic protein-free diet for a further 2days. On day 8, pigs (n=2 per diet and time point) were euthanized post-prandially (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6h), and the stomach, small intestine and caecum were isolated and O2 determined in the GIT contents. Observations at each time point were averaged across the diets (n=10). The mean O2 concentration was markedly higher (p≤0.05) in the stomach compared with the rest of the GIT. The O2 concentration was similar in the small intestinal regions (p>0.05; 1.0%-1.1%) and the caecum (0.9%), apart for the proximal small intestine which had a 24% higher (p≤0.05) O2 concentration than the caecum. The mean O2 concentration in the GIT varied post-prandially (p≤0.05). The O2 concentration in the cardia decreased 1.8%/h over the first two hours post-feeding and thereafter increased 0.3%/h (p≤0.05). In the caecum, the O2 concentration was constant during the first 4h and thereafter increased slightly (p≤0.05). The flow of food through the GIT influenced both the concentration and amount of O2 in GIT luminal contents.

Aspirin Reduces Colorectal Tumor Development in Mice and Gut Microbes Reduce its Bioavailability and Chemopreventive Effects

Alterations in the intestinal microbiota affect development of colorectal cancer and drug metabolism. We studied whether the intestinal microbiota affect the ability of aspirin to reduce colon tumor development in mice. We performed studies with APCmin/+ mice and mice given azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium to induce colorectal carcinogenesis. Some mice were given antibiotics to deplete intestinal microbes, with or without aspirin, throughout the entire experiment. Germ-free mice were studied in validation experiments. Colon tissues were collected and analyzed by histopathology, quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblots. Blood samples and gut luminal contents were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry and an arylesterase activity assay. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S ribosomal RNA gene and shotgun metagenome sequencing. Administration of aspirin to mice reduced colorectal tumor number and load in APCmin/+ mice and mice given azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium that had been given antibiotics (depleted gut microbiota), but not in mice with intact microbiota. Germ-free mice given aspirin developed fewer colorectal tumors than conventionalized germ-free mice given aspirin. Plasma levels of aspirin were higher in mice given antibiotics than in mice with intact gut microbiota. Analyses of luminal contents revealed that aerobic gut microbes, including Lysinibacillus sphaericus, degrade aspirin. Germ-free mice fed L sphaericus had lower plasma levels of aspirin than germ-free mice that were not fed this bacterium. There was an inverse correlation between aspirin dose and colorectal tumor development in conventional mice, but this correlation was lost with increased abundance of L sphaericus. Fecal samples from mice fed aspirin were enriched in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera, which are considered beneficial, and had reductions in Alistipes finegoldii and Bacteroides fragili, which are considered pathogenic. Aspirin reduces development of colorectal tumors in APCmin/+ mice and mice given azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium, depending on the presence of intestinal microbes. L sphaericus in the gut degrades aspirin and reduced its chemopreventive effects in mice. Fecal samples from mice fed aspirin were enriched in beneficial bacteria, with reductions in pathogenic bacteria.

Effects of Endogenous ω6:ω3 PUFA Ratio Reduction on Ileum Homeostasis and Liver Injury in Mice Chronically Fed Ethanol

The objective of the current study was to test the hypothesis that increasing endogenous levels of w3 PUFAs alters gene expression profiles in the intestine of mice chronically fed an ethanol (EtOH) diet, leading to improved gut barrier and liver function, in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). ALD is a significant human health issue leading to increased morbibity and mortality resulting from liver dysfunction. Chronic alcohol consumption causes changes in intestinal permeability resulting in translocation of the gut luminal contents into the circulation. Therefore, a complete understanding of the mechanism(s) by which alcohol consumption alters gut barrier function is essential in order to develop therapeutic strategies to combat these effects. To test the above hypothesis, wild‐type and fat‐1 transgenic mice (which express an w6 fatty acid desaturase and therefore can directly convert w6 to w3 PUFAs) were fed a liquid diet with or without EtOH (pair‐fed, PF) for 6 weeks. Prior to euthanasia, a subset of the mice were challenged with LPS, which induces endotoxemia and is a frequent comorbidity to ALD. At the end of the study, liver and intestine pathology was evaluated and an RNA‐seq analysis was performed on ileum tissue. We identified numerous, statistically significant changes in ileum gene expression in fat‐1 mice when compared to wild‐type controls. Significant changes in the expression of genes that encode enzymes important for the metabolism and detoxification of EtOH were found in both pair‐fed and EtOH‐fed, LPS‐challenged mice. For example, the expression of Adh1 and Adh6a, two members of the alcohol dehydrogenase family, were significantly increased in the ileums of fat‐1 mice. In addition, several isoforms of aldehyde dehydrogenase were increased in fat‐1 mice, including Aldh1a7 and Aldh3b1, in both pair‐fed and EtOH/LPS‐treated animals. The expression of catalase, which metabolizes hydrogen peroxide, was increased and the expression of Cyp2e1 was decreased in PF fat‐1 mice, suggesting that these mice are better positioned to resist tissue damage as a result of reactive oxygen species. In mice fed only EtOH and not challenged with LPS, there was a significant change in the expression of genes important for xenobiotic metabolism. These include several cytochrome p450s (Cyp2c65, Cyp2d10, and Cyp2d34). Lastly, we found that the expression many genes involved in the metabolism of purines was significantly altered in the ileums of fat‐1 mice. For example, Entpd8 (ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 8), Enpp3 (ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 3) and Ada (adenosine deaminase) were all increased in fat‐1 mice. The metabolism of adenosine is critically important for regulating immune function and therefore, altered purine metabolism may be one mechanism by which fat‐1 mice are protected from the toxic effects of chronic EtOH consumption. In summary, these data suggest that fat‐1 mice are much more efficient at metabolizing EtOH and the toxic metabolite, acetaldehyde, and have changes in purine metabolism that potentially have a beneficial effect on overall intestine function.Support or Funding InformationNational Institutes of HealthThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Investigating Gut Permeability in Animal Models of Disease

A growing number of investigations report the association between gut permeability and intestinal or extra-intestinal disorders under the basis that translocation of gut luminal contents could affect tissue function, either directly or indirectly. Still, in many cases it is unknown whether disruption of the gut barrier is a causative agent or a consequence of these conditions. Adequate experimental models are therefore required to further understand the pathophysiology of health disorders associated to gut barrier disruption and to develop and test pharmacological treatments. Here, we review the current animal models that display enhanced intestinal permeability, and discuss (1) their suitability to address mechanistic questions, such as the association between gut barrier alterations and disease and (2) their validity to test potential treatments for pathologies that are characterized by enhanced intestinal permeability.

Preservation of three-dimensional spatial structure in the gut microbiome.

Preservation of three-dimensional structure in the gut is necessary in order to analyze the spatial organization of the gut microbiota and gut luminal contents. In this study, we evaluated preparation methods for mouse gut with the goal of preserving micron-scale spatial structure while performing fluorescence imaging assays. Our evaluation of embedding methods showed that commonly used media such as Tissue-Tek Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) compound, paraffin, and polyester waxes resulted in redistribution of luminal contents. By contrast, a hydrophilic methacrylate resin, Technovit H8100, preserved three-dimensional organization. Our mouse intestinal preparation protocol optimized using the Technovit H8100 embedding method was compatible with microbial fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and other labeling techniques, including immunostaining and staining with both wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Mucus could be visualized whether the sample was fixed with paraformaldehyde (PFA) or with Carnoy’s fixative. The protocol optimized in this study enabled simultaneous visualization of micron-scale spatial patterns formed by microbial cells in the mouse intestines along with biogeographical landmarks such as host-derived mucus and food particles.

Transcription factor CUX1 is required for intestinal epithelial wound healing and targets the VAV2-RAC1 Signalling complex

Intestinal epithelial cells form a protective barrier in limiting gut luminal content potentially harmful to the host. Upon gut epithelium injury, several signals instruct epithelial cells to undergo a rapid healing process. Defects in this process induce inflammatory responses and can further evolve into chronic gut inflammatory diseases. We previously identified the transcription factor CUX1 as crucial for protecting against experimental colitis in mice. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which CUX1 intervenes during this biological process are unknown. Our aim was to evaluate CUX1 biological and functional roles during intestinal epithelial cell wound healing. RNAi knockdown of CUX1 in intestinal epithelial cells revealed a crucial role for this regulator in migratory response following wounding assays. Gene expression profiling identified several gene transcripts modulated in absence of CUX1 during wound healing for which a significant number was associated with cell motility and cytoskeleton function. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays identified the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav2 gene as a direct target for CUX1. Coincidently, reduction of VAV2 in absence of CUX1 was associated with a significant decrease of RAC1 activity in response to epithelial wounding. Our results identify a novel pathway by which CUX1 regulates normal intestinal epithelial cell restitution.

Influence of ad Libitum Feeding of Piglets With Bacillus Subtilis Fermented Liquid Feed on Gut Flora, Luminal Contents and Health

Some scholars caution that long-term ad libitum feeding with probiotic fermented food poses potential health risks to baby animals. We conducted a feeding experiment to investigate the influence of ad libitum feeding of pre-and post-weaned piglets with a Bacillus subtilis fermented diet on the gut microbiome, gut metabolomic profiles, bile acid metabolism, proinflammatory cytokines and faecal consistency. Compared with piglets fed a Bacillus subtilis-supplemented pellet diet, piglets fed the Bacillus subtilis fermented liquid diet had lower intestinal bacterial diversity (P > 0.05), higher intestinal fungal diversity (P > 0.05), more Firmicutes (P > 0.05), fewer Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria (P > 0.05), higher concentrations of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (P < 0.05), orotic acid (P < 0.05), interleukin-6 (P < 0.01), lactic acid (P < 0.01), deoxycholic acid (P > 0.05) and lithocholic acid (P < 0.01) and a higher incidence of diarrhoea (P > 0.05). The data show that ad libitum feeding of piglets with a Bacillus subtilis fermented liquid diet during the suckling and early post-weaning periods promotes the growth of lactic acid bacteria, bile salt hydrolase-active bacteria and 7a-dehydroxylase-active bacteria in the intestinal lumen; disturbs the normal production of lactic acid, orotic acid and unconjugated bile acids; and increases circulating interleukin-6 levels and diarrhoea incidence.