Microbiome and its metabolites promote endometriosis in animal models

Evidence suggests that the microbiome is altered in women with endometriosis. Now, in research,Gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolites promote endometriosiswas published in discovery of cell deathresearchers at Baylor College of Medicine demonstrate that an altered gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the progression of endometriotic disease in a mouse model.

“To investigate the role of the microbiome in endometriosis, we first implemented a new mouse model with microbiome-clearing conditions using antibiotics and microbiology.

Scientists found that mice lacking gut microbiota had smaller endometriotic lesions than mice with gut microbiota. Moreover, when mice without gut microbiota received gut microbiota from mice with endometriosis, lesions were as large as those mice that retained those microbiota.

This study suggests that altered gut bacteria drive disease progression. On the other hand, the intrauterine microbiota did not appear to affect disease progression.

“Endometriosis is a pathological condition of the female reproductive tract characterized by the presence of endometriotic tissue at ectopic sites affecting 10% of women aged 15 to 49 in the United States. has an impact on [and about 196 million women worldwide]However, there is currently no reliable non-invasive method to detect the presence of endometriosis without surgery, and many women find hormone therapy and surgery ineffective in avoiding recurrence. There is a lack of knowledge about the etiology and factors that contribute to the development of endometriosis,” the researchers wrote.

“There is increasing recent evidence suggesting a link between the gut microbiota and the pathophysiology of endometriosis. To understand the causal role of gut microbiota and endometriosis, antibiotic-induced microbiota-depleted (MD) mice were used to predict endometriotic disease progression. We have implemented a new model to investigate: Interestingly, MD mice show reduced growth of endometriotic lesions and transplantation of gut microbiota by oral gavage of feces from mice with endometriosis. found that it rescued the growth of endometriotic lesions.”Furthermore, using germ-free donor mice, we showed that the intrauterine microbiota is essential for the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice.” I got

Microbiota regulate immune cell populations

“Furthermore, we showed that the gut microbiota regulates immune cell populations in the peritoneum of lesion-bearing mice. We discovered new features: Finally, we found that one of the altered metabolites, quinic acid, promoted endometrial epithelial cell survival in vitro and lesion growth in vivo. bottom.

“In summary, these data suggest that the gut microbiota and microbiota-derived metabolome contribute to lesion growth in mice, possibly through immune cell adaptation.” Overall, these findings will help design non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis using fecal metabolites.

As this study points out, specific microbiome communities and/or their metabolites may contribute to the development of endometriosis, and altering the composition of these communities may be beneficial in human patients. You may be able to control the state. “We are currently investigating this possibility,” Commagani said.

This study also demonstrates that examining microbiome metabolites in human fecal samples can be used as a diagnostic tool.

“Endometriosis is usually diagnosed by ultrasound, but an invasive procedure is required to better characterize the lesion,” explained Kommagani. “We are investigating whether microbiome metabolites in human faecal samples can be useful diagnostic tools and whether some of these metabolites can be used as therapeutic strategies.”

A review article on translating mouse gut microbiota studies into human studies Disease model and mechanism “Pioneering studies on new animal models for gut microbiome research have largely demonstrated their potential. However, despite the limitations of mouse models outlined in this review, their advantages are numerous.” , Furthermore, the amount of research and knowledge on gastroenterology, genetics and immunology in mice is far superior to any other model.

“Mouse-mouse models offer a wide range of customizable genotypes and phenotypes, far superior to any other model organism. As such, they are of great importance in the new field of gut microbiota research.” I have played a role.”