Project description:To characterize the effect of microbiota on global gene expression in the distal small intestine during postnatal gut development we employed mouse models with experimental colonization by intestinal microbiota. Using microarray analysis to assess global gene expression in ileal mucosa at the critical stage of intestinal development /maturation associated with weaning, and asking how expression is affected by microbial colonization In the study presented here, preweaned and postweaned GF, SPF mouse small intestinal total RNAs were used. Also, 3-week-old gnotobiotic mouse as well as GF mouse small intestinal RNAs were used.
Project description:To characterize the effect of microbiota on global gene expression in the distal small intestine during postnatal gut development we employed mouse models with experimental colonization by intestinal microbiota. Using microarray analysis to assess global gene expression in ileal mucosa at the critical stage of intestinal development /maturation associated with weaning, and asking how expression is affected by microbial colonization
Project description:Diet influences the composition and diversity of mucosa-associated microbiota along the longitudinal axis of the pig gastrointestinal tract.
Project description:We used a DNA microarray chip covering 369 resistance types to investigate the relation of antibiotic resistance gene diversity with humansM-bM-^@M-^Y age. Metagenomic DNA from fecal samples of 123 healthy volunteers of four different age groups, i.e. pre-school Children (CH), School Children (SC), High School Students (HSS) and Adults (AD) were used for hybridization. The results showed that 80 different gene types were recovered from the 123 individuals gut microbiota, among which 25 were present in CH, 37 in SC, 58 in HSS and 72 in AD. Further analysis indicated that antibiotic resistance genes in groups of CH, SC and AD can be independently clustered, and those ones in group HSS are more divergent. The detailed analysis of antibiotic resistance genes in human gut is further described in the paper DNA microarray analysis reveals the antibiotic resistance gene diversity in human gut microbiota is age-related submitted to Sentific Reports The antibiotic resistance gene microarray is custom-designed (Roche NimbleGen), based on a single chip containing 3 internal replicated probe sets of 12 probes per resistance gene, covering the whole 315K 12-plex platform spots.
Project description:The ERC “MINERVA” project (GA 724734) aims at developing a multi-organ-on-a-chip engineered platform to recapitulate in vitro the main players involved in the MGBA crosstalk: the microbiota, the gut epithelium, the immune system, the blood-brain barrier and the brain. In this context, the gut epithelium represents a physiological barrier that separates the intestinal lumen from the systemic circulation, and in several pathological circumstances, seems that its permeability might significantly increase and allow the passage of biologically active molecules into the blood vessels surrounding the intestinal mucosa. In the present work, we present our MINERVA 2.0 device and our innovative gut-on-a-chip device obtained by culturing in MINERVA 2.0 and a human gut epithelial CaCo2 cell based model. In particular, we have cultured the cells under perfusion and have assessed cell behavior by addressing cellular viability, tight junction imaging, apparent permeability by FITC-Dextran and transepithelial electrical resistance evaluation. Transcriptomic profile was used to further elucidate the effects of dynamic perfusion on Caco-2 cells.
Project description:Gut dysbiosis is closely involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, it remains unclear whether IBD-associated gut dysbiosis plays a primary role in disease manifestation or is merely secondary to intestinal inflammation. Here, we established a humanized gnotobiotic (hGB) mouse system to assess the functional role of gut dysbiosis associated with two types of IBD - Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). In order to explore the functional impact of dysbiotic microbiota in IBD patients on host immune responses, we analyzed gene expression profiles in colonic mucosa of hGB mice colonized with healty (HC), CD, and UC microbiota.
Project description:Inappropriate cross talk between mammals and their gut microbiota may trigger intestinal inflammation and drive extra-intestinal immune-mediated diseases. Studies with germ-free or gnotobiotic animals represent the gold standard for research on bacterial-host interaction but they are not readily accessible to the wide scientific community. We aimed at refining a protocol that in a robust manner would deplete murine intestinal microbiota and prove to have significant biologic validity. Previously published protocols for depleting mice of their intestinal microbiota by administering broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water were difficult to reproduce. We show that twice daily delivery of antibiotics by gavage depleted mice of their cultivable fecal microbiota and reduced the fecal bacterial DNA load by approximately 400 fold while ensuring the animals’ health. Mice subjected to the protocol for 17 days displayed enlarged ceca, reduced Peyer’s patches and small spleens. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the expression of antimicrobial factors and altered the expression of 517 genes in total in the colonic epithelium. Genes involved in cell cycle were significantly altered concomitant with reduced epithelial proliferative activity in situ assessed by Ki-67 expression, suggesting that commensal microbiota drives cellular proliferation in colonic epithelium. We present a robust protocol for depleting mice of their cultivatable intestinal microbiota with antibiotics by gavage and show that the biological effect of this depletion is phenotypic characteristics and epithelial gene expression profile similar to those of germ-free mice. Comparison of genome-wide gene expression of colon intestinal epithelial cells from mice subjected to microbiota depletion protocol against to control mice.