Comparing the Gut Microbiome in Autism and Preclinical Models: A Systematic Review

Mohammed U Alamoudi; Suzanne Hosie; Anya E Shindler; Jennifer L Wood; Ashley E Franks; Elisa L Hill-Yardin

doi:10.3389/fcimb.2022.905841

Comparing the Gut Microbiome in Autism and Preclinical Models: A Systematic Review

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2022 Jul 1:12:905841. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.905841. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Mohammed U Alamoudi^{1

2}, Suzanne Hosie¹, Anya E Shindler³, Jennifer L Wood³, Ashley E Franks³, Elisa L Hill-Yardin¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Bundoora, VIC, Australia.
² Medical Laboratory Technology Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia.

Abstract

Many individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction and show microbial dysbiosis. Variation in gut microbial populations is associated with increased risk for GI symptoms such as chronic constipation and diarrhoea, which decrease quality of life. Several preclinical models of autism also demonstrate microbial dysbiosis. Given that much pre-clinical research is conducted in mouse models, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between the gut microbiome in humans and these models in the context of autism. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus databases to compare microbiome profiles of patients with autism and transgenic (NL3^R451C, Shank3 KO, 15q dup), phenotype-first (BTBR) and environmental (Poly I:C, Maternal Inflammation Activation (MIA), valproate) mouse models of autism. Overall, we report changes in fecal microbial communities relevant to ASD based on both clinical and preclinical studies. Here, we identify an overlapping cluster of genera that are modified in both fecal samples from individuals with ASD and mouse models of autism. Specifically, we describe an increased abundance of Bilophila, Clostridium, Dorea and Lactobacillus and a decrease in Blautia genera in both humans and rodents relevant to this disorder. Studies in both humans and mice highlighted multidirectional changes in abundance (i.e. in some cases increased abundance whereas other reports showed decreases) for several genera including Akkermansia, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Parabacteroides and Prevotella, suggesting that these genera may be susceptible to modification in autism. Identification of these microbial profiles may assist in characterising underlying biological mechanisms involving host-microbe interactions and provide future therapeutic targets for improving gut health in autism.

Keywords: autism; environmental; gastrointestinal tract; genetics; microbiota; mouse model.

Publication types

Review
Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Autism Spectrum Disorder*
Autistic Disorder*
Disease Models, Animal
Dysbiosis / microbiology
Gastrointestinal Diseases* / microbiology
Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
Humans
Mice
Microfilament Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Quality of Life

Substances

Microfilament Proteins
Nerve Tissue Proteins
Shank3 protein, mouse