Gut Phageome—An Insight into the Role and Impact of Gut Microbiome and Their Correlation with Mammal Health and Diseases

Abstract

The gut microbiota, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, compose a diverse mammalian gut environment and are highly associated with host health. Bacteriophages, the viruses that infect bacteria, are the primary members of the gastrointestinal virome, known as the phageome. However, our knowledge regarding the gut phageome remains poorly understood. In this review, the critical role of the gut phageome and its correlation with mammalian health were summarized. First, an overall profile of phages across the gastrointestinal tract and their dynamic roles in shaping the surrounding microorganisms was elucidated. Further, the impacts of the gut phageome on gastrointestinal fitness and the bacterial community were highlighted, together with the influence of diets on the gut phageome composition. Additionally, new reports on the role of the gut phageome in the association of mammalian health and diseases were reviewed. Finally, a comprehensive update regarding the advanced phage benchwork and contributions of phage-based therapy to prevent/treat mammalian diseases was provided. This study provides insights into the role and impact of the gut phagenome in gut environments closely related to mammal health and diseases. The findings provoke the potential applications of phage-based diagnosis and therapy in clinical and agricultural fields. Future research is needed to uncover the underlying mechanism of phage–bacterial interactions in gut environments and explore the maintenance of mammalian health via phage-regulated gut microbiota.

Gut phageome: challenges in research and impact on human microbiota

“…Similar to intestinal microbiota, fluctuations in the composition and functionality of gut phageome affect the health of the host. Although data regarding the impact of phages on the gut microbiota ecosystem are growing, there is still a lack of understanding (Zhang et al, 2023). It is essential to determine whether phages merely react to changes in the microbiota composition or if they actively shape the bacterial dynamics within the gut ecosystem.…”

“…The human gut contains a diverse range of microorganisms-bacteria, archaea, eukarya, and viruses, that play important roles in various life activities to maintain the health of the host (Zhang et al, 2023). Numerous factors influence the homeostasis of gut microbes, including the host's own age, dietary habits, physical activity, disease state and medication use (Pargin et al, 2023).…”

Does Phage Therapy Need a Pan-Phage?

“…Metagenomic data analysis, however, should examine both the composition of the commensal bacteriome and the phageome. There is a plethora of data that correlate alterations of the phageome with human diseases, just as alterations of the bacteriome do [ 162 , 163 ]. Until now, metagenomic analyses have focused exclusively on changes in the bacteriome.…”

Differential enrichment of bacteria and phages in the vaginal microbiomes in PCOS and obesity: shotgun sequencing analysis

“…In addition to bacteria, phages are important components of the human microbiome, and they are thought to play a crucial role in shaping microbial composition, driving bacterial diversity and facilitating horizontal gene transfer. Research on the role of phages in the human microbiome and disease remains relatively limited (Zhang et al, 2023). Major studies have focused on the prevalence of phages in the gut of individuals affected by diseases such as ulcerative colitis and diabetes, with a particular focus on exploring the potential relevance of phages to disease.…”