Chronic stress plays a crucial role in the development of psychiatric diseases, such as anxiety and depression. Dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been linked to the cognitive and emotional deficits induced by stress. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular determinants in mPFC for stress-associated mental disorders. Here we show that chronic restraint stress induces the selective loss of p11 (also known as annexin II light chain, S100A10), a multifunctional protein binding to 5-HT receptors, in layer II/III neurons of the prelimbic cortex (PrL), as well as depression-like behaviors, both of which are reversed by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the tricyclic class of antidepressant (TCA) agents. In layer II/III of the PrL, p11 is highly concentrated in dopamine D2 receptor-expressing (D2+) glutamatergic neurons. Viral expression of p11 in D2+ PrL neurons alleviates the depression-like behaviors exhibited by genetically manipulated mice with D2+ neuron-specific or global deletion of p11. In stressed animals, overexpression of p11 in D2+ PrL neurons rescues depression-like behaviors by restoring glutamatergic transmission. Our results have identified p11 as a key molecule in a specific cell type that regulates stress-induced depression, which provides a framework for the development of new strategies to treat stress-associated mental illnesses.

Fermented foods play important roles in diets worldwide and account for approximately one-third of all foods and beverages consumed. To date, traditional fermentation has used spontaneous fermentation. The microbiome in fermentation has direct impacts on the quality and safety of fermented foods and contributes to the preservation of traditional methods. Here, we used an integrated meta-omics approach to study the microbiome in the fermentation of pu-erh tea, which is a well-known Chinese fermented food with a special flavor and healthful benefits. This study advanced the knowledge of microbiota, metabolites, and enzymes in the fermentation of pu-erh tea. These novel insights shed light onto the complex microbiome in pu-erh fermentation and highlight the power of integrated meta-omics approaches in understanding the microbiome in food fermentation ecosystems.

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis affecting approximately 85% of adolescents. There are many factors contributing to the development of this ailment. A recent study indicated that gut microbiota takes part in the pathogenesis of acne. We aimed to investigate the link between acne vulgaris and gut microbiota. A total of 31 moderate to severe acne vulgaris patients and 31 healthy controls were enrolled. We collected their feces, and gut microbiota was evaluated by the hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA genes through high-throughput sequencing. We identified links between acne vulgaris and changes of gut microbiota. At the phylum level, Actinobacteria (0.89% in acne patients and 2.84% in normal controls, P = 0.004) was decreased and Proteobacteria (8.35% in acne patients and 7.01% in normal controls, P = 0.031) was increased. At the genus level, Bifidobacterium, Butyricicoccus, Coprobacillus, Lactobacillus and Allobaculum were all decreased. The observed difference in genera between acne patients and healthy controls provides a new insight into the link between gut microbiota changes and acne vulgaris risk.

Background Previous observational studies have demonstrated inconsistent and inconclusive results of changes in the intestinal microbiota in patients with obesity and metabolic disorders. We performed a systematic review to explore evidence for this association across different geography and populations. Methods We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE (OvidSP) and Embase (OvidSP) of articles published from Sept 1, 2010, to July 10, 2021, for case–control studies comparing intestinal microbiome of individuals with obesity and metabolic disorders with the microbiome of non-obese, metabolically healthy individuals (controls). The primary outcome was bacterial taxonomic changes in patients with obesity and metabolic disorders as compared to controls. Taxa were defined as “lean-associated” if they were depleted in patients with obesity and metabolic disorders or negatively associated with abnormal metabolic parameters. Taxa were defined as “obesity-associated” if they were enriched in patients with obesity and metabolic disorders or positively associated with abnormal metabolic parameters. Results Among 2390 reports screened, we identified 110 full-text articles and 60 studies were included. Proteobacteria was the most consistently reported obesity-associated phylum. Thirteen, nine, and ten studies, respectively, reported Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Alistipes as lean-associated genera. Prevotella and Ruminococcus were obesity-associated genera in studies from the West but lean-associated in the East. Roseburia and Bifidobacterium were lean-associated genera only in the East, whereas Lactobacillus was an obesity-associated genus in the West. Conclusions We identified specific bacteria associated with obesity and metabolic disorders in western and eastern populations. Mechanistic studies are required to determine whether these microbes are a cause or product of obesity and metabolic disorders.

IHB cells might be involved in NAFLD both by inducing the secretion of IL-6, TNF-α and IgG2a and by enhancing the activation of CD4(+) IHT cells and their differentiation into Th1 cells.