Molecular and metabolomic changes in the proximal colon of pigs infected with Trichuris suis

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 30;10(1):12853. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-69462-5.

Abstract

The pig whipworm Trichuris suis is important in swine production because of its negative effects on pig performance and, notably, to some humans with inflammatory bowel disease as a therapeutic agent that modulates inflammation. The proximal colon of T. suis-infected pigs exhibited general inflammation around day 21 after inoculation with infective eggs that is transcriptionally characterized by markers of type-2 immune activation, inflammation, cellular infiltration, tissue repair enzymes, pathways of oxidative stress, and altered intestinal barrier function. Prominent gene pathways involved the Th2-response, de novo cholesterol synthesis, fructose and glucose metabolism, basic amino acid metabolism, and bile acid transport. Upstream regulatory factor analysis implicated the bile acid/farnesoid X receptor in some of these processes. Metabolic analysis indicated changes in fatty acids, antioxidant capacity, biochemicals related to methylation, protein glycosylation, extracellular matrix structure, sugars, Krebs cycle intermediates, microbe-derived metabolites and altered metabolite transport. Close to 1,200 differentially expressed genes were modulated in the proximal colon of pigs with a persistent adult worm infection that was nearly 90% lower in pigs that had expelled worms. The results support a model to test diets that favorably alter the microbiome and improve host intestinal health in both pigs and humans exposed to Trichuris.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / biosynthesis
  • Colon / immunology*
  • Colon / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Fructose / metabolism
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Metabolomics*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Swine Diseases / immunology
  • Swine Diseases / metabolism*
  • Swine*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology
  • Trichuriasis / immunology
  • Trichuriasis / metabolism*
  • Trichuriasis / veterinary*

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Fatty Acids
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor
  • Fructose
  • Cholesterol
  • Glucose