Vicki S Hertzberg1, Harinder Singh2, Christina N Fournier3,4, Ahmed Moustafa5, Meraida Polak3, Claire A Kuelbs6, Manolito G Torralba6, Malú G Tansey7, Karen E Nelson2,6, Jonathan D Glass3. 1. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 2. J. Craig Venter Institute, Rockville, MD, USA. 3. Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. 4. Department of Neurology, Department of Veterans Affairs, Atlanta, GA, USA. 5. Department of Biology, The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt. 6. J. Craig Venter Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA. 7. Department of Physiology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Abstract
Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is incurable and ultimately fatal. Few therapeutic options are available to patients. In this study, we explored differences in microbiome composition associated with ALS. Methods: We compared the gut microbiome and inflammatory marker profiles of ALS patients (n = 10) to those of their spouses (n = 10). Gut microbiome profiles were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The gut microbial communities of the ALS patients were more diverse and were deficient in Prevotella spp. compared with those of their spouses. In contrast, healthy couples (n = 10 couples of the opposite sex) recruited from the same geographic region as the patient population did not exhibit these differences. Stool and plasma inflammatory markers were similar between ALS patients and their spouses. Predictive analysis of microbial enzymes revealed that ALS patients had decreased activity in several metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism, butyrate metabolism, and systems involving histidine kinase and response regulators. Conclusions: ALS patients exhibit differences in their gut microbial communities compared with spouse controls. Our findings suggest that modifying the gut microbiome, such as via amelioration of Prevotella spp. deficiency, and/or altering butyrate metabolism may have translational value for ALS treatment.
Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is incurable and ultimately fatal. Few therapeutic options are available to patients. In this study, we explored differences in microbiome composition associated with ALS. Methods: We compared the gut microbiome and inflammatory marker profiles of ALS patients (n = 10) to those of their spouses (n = 10). Gut microbiome profiles were determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The gut microbial communities of the ALS patients were more diverse and were deficient in Prevotella spp. compared with those of their spouses. In contrast, healthy couples (n = 10 couples of the opposite sex) recruited from the same geographic region as the patient population did not exhibit these differences. Stool and plasma inflammatory markers were similar between ALS patients and their spouses. Predictive analysis of microbial enzymes revealed that ALS patients had decreased activity in several metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism, butyrate metabolism, and systems involving histidine kinase and response regulators. Conclusions: ALS patients exhibit differences in their gut microbial communities compared with spouse controls. Our findings suggest that modifying the gut microbiome, such as via amelioration of Prevotella spp. deficiency, and/or altering butyrate metabolism may have translational value for ALS treatment.
Authors: Alyssa C Walker; Rohan Bhargava; Autumn S Dove; Amanda S Brust; Ali A Owji; Daniel M Czyż Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2022-04-27 Impact factor: 6.208
Authors: Frances Theunissen; Phillip K West; Samuel Brennan; Bojan Petrović; Kosar Hooshmand; P Anthony Akkari; Matt Keon; Boris Guennewig Journal: Transl Neurodegener Date: 2021-11-15 Impact factor: 8.014