Gut microbiome phenotypes driven by host genetics affect arsenic metabolism

Chem Res Toxicol. 2014 Feb 17;27(2):172-4. doi: 10.1021/tx400454z. Epub 2014 Feb 3.

Abstract

Large individual differences in susceptibility to arsenic-induced diseases are well-documented and frequently associated with different patterns of arsenic metabolism. In this context, the role of the gut microbiome in directly metabolizing arsenic and triggering systemic responses in diverse organs raises the possibility that gut microbiome phenotypes affect the spectrum of metabolized arsenic species. However, it remains unclear how host genetics and the gut microbiome interact to affect the biotransformation of arsenic. Using an integrated approach combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing and HPLC-ICP-MS arsenic speciation, we demonstrate that IL-10 gene knockout leads to a significant taxonomic change of the gut microbiome, which in turn substantially affects arsenic metabolism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arsenic / pharmacokinetics*
  • Biotransformation
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Environmental Pollutants / pharmacokinetics*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microbiota*
  • Phenotype
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • IL10 protein, mouse
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
  • Interleukin-10
  • Arsenic