Multi-omics analysis reveals the associations between altered gut microbiota, metabolites, and cytokines during pregnancy

作者：Ting Huang, Xinyuan Liang, Han Bao, Guangyu Ma, Xiaomei Tang, Huijuan Luo, Xiaomin Xiao · 发表于：mSystems · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1128/msystems.01252-23 · 被引用次数：26 · 研究领域：Gut microbiota and health、Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health、Reproductive System and Pregnancy

ABSTRACT For embryo implantation and fetal development, the maternal immune system undergoes dramatic changes. The mechanisms involved in inducing alterations of maternal immunity have not been fully clarified. Gut microbiome and metabolites were thought to influence the host immune response. During normal pregnancy, notable changes occur in the gut microbiota and metabolites. However, the relationship of these alterations to immune function during pregnancy remains unclear. In this study, we examined gut microbiota, fecal metabolites, plasma metabolites, and cytokines in pregnant women and non-pregnant women. Our findings revealed that, in comparison to non-pregnant women, pregnant women exhibit a significant increase in the relative abundance of Actinobacteriota and notable differences in metabolic pathways related to bile acid secretion. Furthermore, there was a marked reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in pregnant women. Correlation analyses indicated that these alterations in cytokines may be linked to specific gut bacteria and metabolites. Bacteria within the same microbial modules exhibited consistent effects on cytokines, suggesting that gut bacteria may function as functional groups. Mediation analysis further identified that certain bacteria might influence cytokines through metabolites, such as bile acids and arachidonic acid. Our findings propose potential biological connections between bacteria, metabolites, and immunity, which require further validat...