Alterations of gut microbiota contribute to the progression of unruptured intracranial aneurysms

Nat Commun. 2020 Jun 25;11(1):3218. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-16990-3.

Abstract

Unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA) is a life-threatening cerebrovascular condition. Whether changes in gut microbial composition participate in the development of UIAs remains largely unknown. We perform a case-control metagenome-wide association study in two cohorts of Chinese UIA patients and control individuals and mice that receive fecal transplants from human donors. After fecal transplantation, the UIA microbiota is sufficient to induce UIAs in mice. We identify UIA-associated gut microbial species link to changes in circulating taurine. Specifically, the abundance of Hungatella hathewayi is markedly decreased and positively correlated with the circulating taurine concentration in both humans and mice. Consistently, gavage with H. hathewayi normalizes the taurine levels in serum and protects mice against the formation and rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Taurine supplementation also reverses the progression of intracranial aneurysms. Our findings provide insights into a potential role of H. hathewayi-associated taurine depletion as a key factor in the pathogenesis of UIAs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Clostridiaceae / metabolism*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / microbiology
  • Intracranial Aneurysm* / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Taurine / metabolism*

Substances

  • Taurine

Supplementary concepts

  • Hungatella hathewayi