Abstract: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as sodium butyrate (SB), sodium propionate (SPr), and sodium acetate (SAc), are metabolic end-products of the fermentation of dietary fibers. They are linked with multiple beneficial effects on the general mammalian health, based on the sophisticated interplay with the host immune response. Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is a major pathogen, which primarily replicates in the respiratory epithelium, and disseminates through the body via a cell-associated viremia in leukocytes, even in the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Infected monocytic CD172a cells and T-lymphocytes transmit EHV1 to the endothelium of the endometrium or central nervous system (CNS), causing reproductive or neurological disorders. Here, we questioned whether SCFA have a potential role in shaping the pathogenesis of EHV1 during the primary replication in the URT, during the cell-associated viremia, or at the level of the endothelium of the pregnant uterus and/or CNS. First, we demonstrated the expression of SCFA receptors, FFA2 and FFA3, within the epithelium of the equine respiratory tract, at the cell surface of immune cells, and equine endothelium. Subsequently, EHV1 replication was evaluated in the URT, in the presence or absence of SB, SPr, or SAc. In general, we demonstrated that SCFA do not affect the number of viral plaques or virus titer upon primary viral replication. Only SB and SPr were able to reduce the plaque latitudes. Similarly, pretreatment of monocytic CD172a cells and T-lymphocytes with different concentrations of SCFA did not alter the number of infected cells. When endothelial cells were treated with SB, SPr, or SAc, prior to the co-cultivation with EHV1-inoculated mononuclear cells, we observed a reduced number of adherent immune cells to the target endothelium. This was associated with a downregulation of endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the presence of SCFA, which ultimately lead to a significant reduction of the EHV1 endothelial plaques. These results indicate that physiological concentrations of SCFA may affect the pathogenesis of EHV1, mainly at the target endothelium, in favor of the fitness of the horse. Our findings may have significant implications to develop innovative therapies, to prevent the devastating clinical outcome of EHV1 infections.
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research focuses on the role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in influencing the pathogenesis of Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV1), a major disease agent in horses. The study demonstrates that SCFAs do not affect primary viral replication, but they can reduce the adhesion of immune cells to the endothelium, thereby reducing the spread of the virus.
Experiment Setup and Findings
The study primarily dealt with three types of SCFAs – sodium butyrate (SB), sodium propionate (SPr), and sodium acetate (SAc). These acids are produced by the fermentation of dietary fibers and have a significant impact on general mammalian health primarily due to their interaction with the immune response.
The research concentrated on the role of these SCFAs on EHV1, a virus that initially replicates in the respiratory epithelium of horses and spreads through the body by associating with leukocytes. The virus can cause reproductive or neurological disorders in horses when transmitted to the endometrium or central nervous system (CNS) by infected monocytic CD172a cells and T-lymphocytes.
The study confirmed the presence of SCFA receptors, FFA2 and FFA3, within the epithelial cells of the equine respiratory tract, immune cells, and equine endothelium. The replication of EHV1 in these cells was then evaluated with or without the presence of the SCFAs. The results showed that the SCFAs did not affect the viral plaques or virus titer during primary viral replication, though SB and SPr were observed to reduce plaque sizes.
When monocytic CD172a cells and T-lymphocytes were pretreated with SCFAs, the number of infected cells remained unaltered. However, when endothelial cells were treated with the SCFAs prior to exposure to EHV1-inoculated mononuclear cells, a reduction in the number of immune cells adhering to the target endothelium was observed. This was linked to a reduction in endothelial adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in the presence of SCFAs, resulting in a significant reduction of EHV1 endothelial plaques.
Implications and Conclusions
These findings suggest that SCFAs, at physiological concentrations, could play a role in altering the pathogenesis of EHV1, mainly at the level of the target endothelium. This would benefit the horse’s health by impeding the spread of the virus within the body
The research has implications for potential therapeutic development. Utilizing SCFAs could pave the way for innovative therapies to prevent the severe outcomes of EHV1 infections in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Poelaert KCK, Van Cleemput J, Laval K, Descamps S, Favoreel HW, Nauwynck HJ.
(2019).
Beyond Gut Instinct: Metabolic Short-Chain Fatty Acids Moderate the Pathogenesis of Alphaherpesviruses.
Front Microbiol, 10, 723.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2019.00723
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Cleemput, Jolien
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
301 Schultz Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States.
Laval, Kathlyn
301 Schultz Laboratory, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States.
Descamps, Sarah
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Favoreel, Herman W
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Nauwynck, Hans J
Laboratory of Virology, Department of Virology, Immunology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
References
This article includes 71 references
Abrahamsson TR, Jakobsson HE, Andersson AF, Björkstén B, Engstrand L, Jenmalm MC. Low gut microbiota diversity in early infancy precedes asthma at school age.. Clin Exp Allergy 2014 Jun;44(6):842-50.
Anderson JW, Baird P, Davis RH Jr, Ferreri S, Knudtson M, Koraym A, Waters V, Williams CL. Health benefits of dietary fiber.. Nutr Rev 2009 Apr;67(4):188-205.
Bisgaard H, Li N, Bonnelykke K, Chawes BL, Skov T, Paludan-Müller G, Stokholm J, Smith B, Krogfelt KA. Reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiota during infancy is associated with increased risk of allergic disease at school age.. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011 Sep;128(3):646-52.e1-5.
Bruzzese E, Callegari ML, Raia V, Viscovo S, Scotto R, Ferrari S, Morelli L, Buccigrossi V, Lo Vecchio A, Ruberto E, Guarino A. Disrupted intestinal microbiota and intestinal inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis and its restoration with Lactobacillus GG: a randomised clinical trial.. PLoS One 2014;9(2):e87796.
Comalada M, Bailón E, de Haro O, Lara-Villoslada F, Xaus J, Zarzuelo A, Gálvez J. The effects of short-chain fatty acids on colon epithelial proliferation and survival depend on the cellular phenotype.. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2006 Aug;132(8):487-97.
Cummings JH, Pomare EW, Branch WJ, Naylor CP, Macfarlane GT. Short chain fatty acids in human large intestine, portal, hepatic and venous blood.. Gut 1987 Oct;28(10):1221-7.
Daly K, Stewart CS, Flint HJ, Shirazi-Beechey SP. Bacterial diversity within the equine large intestine as revealed by molecular analysis of cloned 16S rRNA genes. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 38 141–151.
De Filippo C, Cavalieri D, Di Paola M, Ramazzotti M, Poullet JB, Massart S, Collini S, Pieraccini G, Lionetti P. Impact of diet in shaping gut microbiota revealed by a comparative study in children from Europe and rural Africa.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010 Aug 17;107(33):14691-6.
Dedoni S, Olianas MC, Onali P. Synergistic interaction of histone deacetylase inhibitors with interferon-β in inducing apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells. FASEB J. 30 715 12.
den Besten G, van Eunen K, Groen AK, Venema K, Reijngoud DJ, Bakker BM. The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism.. J Lipid Res 2013 Sep;54(9):2325-40.
Dicks LMT, Botha M, Dicks E, Botes M. The equine gastro-intestinal tract: an overview of the microbiota, disease and treatment. Livest. Sci. 160 69–81.
Faure E, Equils O, Sieling PA, Thomas L, Zhang FX, Kirschning CJ, Polentarutti N, Muzio M, Arditi M. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide activates NF-kappaB through toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) in cultured human dermal endothelial cells. Differential expression of TLR-4 and TLR-2 in endothelial cells.. J Biol Chem 2000 Apr 14;275(15):11058-63.
Franklin ST, Young JW, Nonnecke BJ. Effects of ketones, acetate, butyrate, and glucose on bovine lymphocyte proliferation.. J Dairy Sci 1991 Aug;74(8):2507-14.
Hijiya N, Miyake K, Akashi S, Matsuura K, Higuchi Y, Yamamoto S. Possible involvement of toll-like receptor 4 in endothelial cell activation of larger vessels in response to lipopolysaccharide.. Pathobiology 2002;70(1):18-25.
Kolb H, Mandrup-Poulsen T. The global diabetes epidemic as a consequence of lifestyle-induced low-grade inflammation.. Diabetologia 2010 Jan;53(1):10-20.
La Bonnardiere C, Laude H. High interferon titer in newborn pig intestine during experimentally induced viral enteritis.. Infect Immun 1981 Apr;32(1):28-31.
Laval K, Favoreel HW, Nauwynck HJ. Equine herpesvirus type 1 replication is delayed in CD172a+ monocytic cells and controlled by histone deacetylases.. J Gen Virol 2015 Jan;96(Pt 1):118-130.
Leys C, Ley C, Klein O, Bernard P, Licata L. Detecting outliers: do not use standard deviation around the mean, use absolute deviation around the median. J. Exp. Soc. Psychol. 49 764–766.
Li M, van Esch BCAM, Wagenaar GTM, Garssen J, Folkerts G, Henricks PAJ. Pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of short chain fatty acids on immune and endothelial cells.. Eur J Pharmacol 2018 Jul 15;831:52-59.
Morrison DJ, Preston T. Formation of short chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota and their impact on human metabolism.. Gut Microbes 2016 May 3;7(3):189-200.
Nusinzon I, Horvath CM. Interferon-stimulated transcription and innate antiviral immunity require deacetylase activity and histone deacetylase 1.. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 Dec 9;100(25):14742-7.
Park J, Kim M, Kang SG, Jannasch AH, Cooper B, Patterson J, Kim CH. Short-chain fatty acids induce both effector and regulatory T cells by suppression of histone deacetylases and regulation of the mTOR-S6K pathway.. Mucosal Immunol 2015 Jan;8(1):80-93.
Reichert N, Choukrallah MA, Matthias P. Multiple roles of class I HDACs in proliferation, differentiation, and development.. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012 Jul;69(13):2173-87.
Schilderink R, Verseijden C, de Jonge WJ. Dietary inhibitors of histone deacetylases in intestinal immunity and homeostasis.. Front Immunol 2013;4:226.
Smith PM, Howitt MR, Panikov N, Michaud M, Gallini CA, Bohlooly-Y M, Glickman JN, Garrett WS. The microbial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, regulate colonic Treg cell homeostasis.. Science 2013 Aug 2;341(6145):569-73.
Smith RH, Zhao Y, O'Callaghan DJ. The equine herpesvirus type 1 immediate-early gene product contains an acidic transcriptional activation domain.. Virology 1994 Aug 1;202(2):760-70.
Van de Walle GR, Favoreel HW, Nauwynck HJ, Pensaert MB. Antibody-induced internalization of viral glycoproteins and gE-gI Fc receptor activity protect pseudorabies virus-infected monocytes from efficient complement-mediated lysis.. J Gen Virol 2003 Apr;84(Pt 4):939-947.
van der Meulen K, Vercauteren G, Nauwynck H, Pensaert M. A local epidemic of equine herpesvirus 1-induced neurological disorders in Belgium. Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift 72 366–372.
Vandekerckhove AP, Glorieux S, Gryspeerdt AC, Steukers L, Duchateau L, Osterrieder N, Van de Walle GR, Nauwynck HJ. Replication kinetics of neurovirulent versus non-neurovirulent equine herpesvirus type 1 strains in equine nasal mucosal explants.. J Gen Virol 2010 Aug;91(Pt 8):2019-2028.
Wajner M, Santos KD, Schlottfeldt JL, Rocha MP, Wannmacher CM. Inhibition of mitogen-activated proliferation of human peripheral lymphocytes in vitro by propionic acid.. Clin Sci (Lond) 1999 Jan;96(1):99-103.
Zapolska-Downar D, Siennicka A, Kaczmarczyk M, Kołodziej B, Naruszewicz M. Butyrate inhibits cytokine-induced VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in cultured endothelial cells: the role of NF-kappaB and PPARalpha.. J Nutr Biochem 2004 Apr;15(4):220-8.
Zeuke S, Ulmer AJ, Kusumoto S, Katus HA, Heine H. TLR4-mediated inflammatory activation of human coronary artery endothelial cells by LPS.. Cardiovasc Res 2002 Oct;56(1):126-34.
Zhou B, Margariti A, Zeng L, Xu Q. Role of histone deacetylases in vascular cell homeostasis and arteriosclerosis.. Cardiovasc Res 2011 Jun 1;90(3):413-20.
He H, Fan X, Shen H, Gou H, Zhang C, Liu Z, Zhang B, Wuri N, Zhang J, Liao M, Geri L. Butyrate limits the replication of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in intestine epithelial cells by enhancing GPR43-mediated IFN-III production. Front Microbiol 2023;14:1091807.
Zhang S, Wang T, Zhang D, Wang X, Zhang Z, Lim C, Lee S. Probiotic characterization of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HOM3204 and its restoration effect on antibiotic-induced dysbiosis in mice. Lett Appl Microbiol 2022 Jun;74(6):949-958.
Machado MG, Sencio V, Trottein F. Short-Chain Fatty Acids as a Potential Treatment for Infections: a Closer Look at the Lungs. Infect Immun 2021 Aug 16;89(9):e0018821.
Balta I, Stef L, Pet I, Ward P, Callaway T, Ricke SC, Gundogdu O, Corcionivoschi N. Antiviral activity of a novel mixture of natural antimicrobials, in vitro, and in a chicken infection model in vivo. Sci Rep 2020 Oct 6;10(1):16631.
Lv J, Qi P, Yan X, Bai L, Zhang L. Structure and Metabolic Characteristics of Intestinal Microbiota in Tibetan and Han Populations of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Associated Influencing Factors. Microorganisms 2023 Oct 28;11(11).