Fecal microbiota composition differs between children with β-cell autoimmunity and those without.

Abstract

The role of the intestinal microbiota as a regulator of autoimmune diabetes in animal models is well-established, but data on human type 1 diabetes are tentative and based on studies including only a few study subjects. To exclude secondary effects of diabetes and HLA risk genotype on gut microbiota, we compared the intestinal microbiota composition in children with at least two diabetes-associated autoantibodies (n = 18) with autoantibody-negative children matched for age, sex, early feeding history, and HLA risk genotype using pyrosequencing. Principal component analysis indicated that a low abundance of lactate-producing and butyrate-producing species was associated with β-cell autoimmunity. In addition, a dearth of the two most dominant Bifidobacterium species, Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum, and an increased abundance of the Bacteroides genus were observed in the children with β-cell autoimmunity. We did not find increased fecal calprotectin or IgA as marker of inflammation in children with β-cell autoimmunity. Functional studies related to the observed alterations in the gut microbiome are warranted because the low abundance of bifidobacteria and butyrate-producing species could adversely affect the intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammation, whereas the apparent importance of the Bacteroides genus in development of type 1 diabetes is insufficiently understood.

• Authors: Marcus C de Goffau, Kristiina Luopajärvi, Mikael Knip, Jorma Ilonen, Terhi Ruohtula, Taina Härkönen, Laura Orivuori, Saara Hakala, Gjalt W Welling, Hermie J Harmsen, Outi Vaarala
• Journal: Diabetes (Diabetes) Vol. 62 Issue 4 Pg. 1238-44 (Apr 2013) ISSN: 1939-327X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23274889 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Autoantibodies
• HLA-DQ beta-Chains
• HLA-DQB1 antigen

Topics

• Adolescent
• Autoantibodies (genetics, physiology)
• Bacteria (classification, isolation & purification)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (genetics, immunology)
• Feces (microbiology)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation (immunology)
• Genetic Variation
• Genotype
• HLA-DQ beta-Chains (genetics, metabolism)
• Humans
• Insulin-Secreting Cells (immunology)
• Male