Swarte, J. C. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2023

The gut microbiome across the cardiovascular risk spectrum

RationaleDespite significant progress in treatment strategies, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Identifying new potential targets is crucial for enhancing preventive and therapeutic strategies. The gut microbiome has been associated with the development of coronary artery disease (CAD), however our understanding of the precise changes in the gut microbiome occurring during CAD development remains limited. ObjectiveTo investigate microbiome changes in participants without clinically manifest CAD with different cardiovascular risk levels and in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods and ResultsIn this cross-sectional study we characterized the gut microbiome using metagenomics of 411 fecal samples from individuals with low (n=130), intermediate (n=130) and high (n=125) cardiovascular risk based on the Framingham score, and STEMI patients (n=26). We analyzed alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiome and differential abundance of species and functional pathways among the different groups while accounting for confounders including medication and technical covariates. Abundances of Collinsella stercoris, Flavonifractor plautii and Ruthenibacterium lactatiformans showed a positive trend with cardiovascular risk, while Streptococcus thermophilus was negatively associated. Furthermore, in the differential abundance analysis we identified eight species and 49 predicted metabolic pathways that were differently abundant among the groups. These species included species linked to inflammation. Starch biosynthesis and phenolic compound degradation pathways were enriched in the gut microbiome of STEMI patients, while pathways associated with vitamin, lipid and amino-acid biosynthesis were depleted. ConclusionsWe identified four microbial species that demonstrated a gradual trend in their abundance from low risk individuals to those with STEMI, and species and pathways that were differently abundant in STEMI patients compared to groups without clinically manifest CAD. Further investigation is warranted to gain deeper understanding of their precise role in CAD progression and potential implications, with the ultimate goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=142 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/546971v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@f7f0b1org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1db0c8eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@154adeorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e64c74_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG Created with BioRender.com

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

The Dutch Microbiome Project defines factors that shape the healthy gut microbiome

The gut microbiome is associated with diverse diseases, but the universal signature of an (un)healthy microbiome remains elusive and there is a need to understand how genetics, exposome, lifestyle and diet shape the microbiome in health and disease. To fill this gap, we profiled bacterial composition, function, antibiotic resistance and virulence factors in the gut microbiomes of 8,208 Dutch individuals from a three-generational cohort comprising 2,756 families. We then correlated this to 241 host and environmental factors, including physical and mental health, medication use, diet, socioeconomic factors and childhood and current exposome. We identify that the microbiome is primarily shaped by environment and cohousing. Only [~]13% of taxa are heritable, which are enriched with highly prevalent and health-associated bacteria. By identifying 2,856 associations between microbiome and health, we find that seemingly unrelated diseases share a common signature that is independent of comorbidities. Furthermore, we identify 7,519 associations between microbiome features and diet, socioeconomics and early life and current exposome, of which numerous early-life and current factors are particularly linked to the microbiome. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive overview of gut microbiome and the underlying impact of heritability and exposures that will facilitate future development of microbiome-targeted therapies.

microbiology↗