Crosstalk between the microbiome and epigenome: messages from bugs

Abstract

Mammals exist in a complicated symbiotic relationship with their gut microbiome, which is postulated to have broad impacts on host health and disease. As omics-based technologies have matured, the potential mechanisms by which the microbiome affects host physiology are being addressed. The gut microbiome, which provides environmental cues, can modify host cell responses to stimuli through alterations in the host epigenome and, ultimately, gene expression. Increasing evidence highlights microbial generation of bioactive compounds that impact the transcriptional machinery in host cells. Here, we review current understanding of the crosstalk between gut microbiota and the host epigenome, including DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs. These studies are providing insights into how the host responds to microbial signalling and are predicted to provide information for the application of precision medicine.

Epigenetic and inflammatory events in experimental periodontitis following systemic microbial challenge

“…In this case, DNA methylation in the genes of gastric mucosa was closely associated with the risk of gastric cancer which was linked to H. pylori infection (Nakajima et al, ). The constant and direct contact of the microbiota and host cells in various organs in the body, especially the gut, may lead to the idea that microbiota can be a primary mechanism of regulating the host epigenome (Qin & Wade, ). Furthermore, recent investigations suggest that there seems to be a complex, pertinent and effectual relationship between the intestinal microbiota, the immune system and epigenetic modifications (Obata et al, ).…”

Nutrition and Genetics in NAFLD: The Perfect Binomium

“…Kimberly et al had demonstrated that the composition of gut microbiota altered global histone acetylation and methylation in host tissues in a diet-dependent manner. Mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet, which contains low levels of fermentable complex polysaccharides, showed loss of cecal SCFAs production (acetate, propionate and butyrate) compared to NC mice [160,161]. The reduction of SCFAs correlated to profound post-translational modification of hepatic histones, such as lower methylation of H3 histones in specific aminoacidic position (H3K27me1 and H3K36me2) [160,161].…”

“…Mice fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (HF/HS) diet, which contains low levels of fermentable complex polysaccharides, showed loss of cecal SCFAs production (acetate, propionate and butyrate) compared to NC mice [160,161]. The reduction of SCFAs correlated to profound post-translational modification of hepatic histones, such as lower methylation of H3 histones in specific aminoacidic position (H3K27me1 and H3K36me2) [160,161]. The impact of unhealthy dietary habits on NAFLD and their interaction with inherited and acquired risk factors is schematically represented in Figure 1.…”

“…The impact of unhealthy dietary habits on NAFLD and their interaction with inherited and acquired risk factors is schematically represented in Figure 1. H3K36me2) [160,161]. The impact of unhealthy dietary habits on NAFLD and their interaction with inherited and acquired risk factors is schematically represented in Figure 1.…”

The crosstalk between microbiome and asthma: Exploring associations and challenges

“…The microbiome is thought to have host genetic background, cause epigenetic modulations, affect host metabolism and be influenced by environmental exposures . This necessitates integrating the microbiome with other omics layers, such as metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, epigenomics and exposomics (environmental factors), which will help to provide more insight into the mechanisms of complex disease processes such as asthma.…”