Comprehensive metagenomic analysis of intestinal bacterial and viral flora in Alzheimer's disease

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17028
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52020:Neurology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka Metropolitan University (2022); Osaka City University (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Uematsu Miho 大阪公立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 助教 (80815647)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: メタゲノム解析 / メタボローム解析 / 腸内細菌叢 / 腸内ウイルス叢 / アルツハイマー型認知症 / パーキンソン病関連疾患 / KEGG / 次世代シークエンサー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In recent years, it has been suggested that the gut microbiota may influence the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases via the gut-brain connection. On the other hand, little is known about the genome sequence and function of the gut viral flora, called viral dark matter, and its relationship with various diseases. In this study, we focused on Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, which are thought to be strongly influenced by the gut-brain connection. After extracting the genes of intestinal bacteria and viruses from fecal samples, the genome sequences were analyzed using a next-generation sequencer and a supercomputer. Comparison of the metagenomes of the bacterial and viral flora in the disease and healthy control groups showed that the composition of the microflora and gene function differed between the disease and healthy control groups. This finding indicated that gut dysbiosis could be a potential target for novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.

Free Research Field

脳神経内科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、次世代シークエンサー技術の飛躍的な進歩に伴い、腸内細菌叢の組成やその代謝産物が疾患の発症に与える影響に特に注目が集まっている。とりわけ、神経変性疾患と脳腸相関の関係は世界的に注目されている。本研究では、神経変性疾患に特徴的な腸内細菌叢の組成異常（ディスバイオシス）と遺伝子機能の変化を網羅的に解析することで、神経変性疾患の治療法を検討した。本研究のように腸内細菌叢の遺伝子機能を解析することで見出される治療戦略は、今後、新たな治療介入につながると期待される。