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Veterinary research communications2024; doi: 10.1007/s11259-024-10489-8

Comparison and characterization of the bacterial microbiota and SIgA production in different gastrointestinal segments in horses.

Abstract: In the gastrointestinal mucosa, there is a close cooperation between secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and the composition of the microbiota, which aims to maintain homeostasis as well as act as a protective barrier. The purpose of this study was to determine the composition of microbiota and SIgA production in different parts of the digestive tract (small intestine, cecum, colon and rectum) of nine healthy horses and its reflection in the feces. For this purpose, we determined: the composition of the microbiome (by next-generation Sequencing of Hypervariable Regions V3-V4 and V7-V9 of the 16 S rRNA gene analysis), the amount of SIgA in the intestinal content samples (by ELISA), as well as the number of IgA-producing cells (IgA+) in the tissue samples (by immohistochemical analysis). Significant differences were observed between the small intestine and the large colon in the composition and diversity of the microbiome, as well as the number of IgA + cells in the mucosal lamina propria and the abundance of SIgA in the intestinal lumen. The small intestine in relation to the large colon is characterised by fewer IgA + cells, more SIgA in the intestinal contents and a less diverse microbiome. However, the cecum appears to be the third separate ecosystem, with a high number of IgA + cells and a diverse microbiome. The fecal sample reflects the current state of the large colon, both in terms of the microbiome and SIgA content; however, it is not known to what extent it may be influenced by dysbiosis in other parts of the digestive tract.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-08-24 PubMed ID: 39180603PubMed Central: 9783266DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10489-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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.

This research study investigates the relationship between secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) and the composition of the microbiota in various parts of the digestive tract in horses. The findings show significant differences in the composition and diversity of the microbiome, as well as the number of IgA producing cells, between the small intestine and large colon, with the cecum functioning as a separate ecosystem.

Objective of the Study

  • This study aimed to determine the composition of the microbiota and the production of Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in different sections of the horse’s digestive tract. The tracked sections included the small intestine, cecum, colon, rectum, and its reflection in the feces.

Methodology Applied

  • The composition of the microbiome was established using next-generation sequencing of Hypervariable Regions V3-V4 and V7-V9 of the 16 S rRNA gene analysis.
  • The quantity of SIgA in the intestinal content samples was determined using the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) technique.
  • The number of IgA-producing cells (IgA+) in the tissue samples was measured through immohistochemical analysis.

Key Research Findings

  • Significant differences were observed between the small intestine and the large colon in terms of the composition and diversity of the microbiome, as well as the number of IgA + cells in the mucosal lamina propria and the abundance of SIgA in the intestinal lumen.
  • The cecum appeared to function as a third separate ecosystem, characterized by a high number of IgA + cells and a diverse microbiome.
  • The small intestine had fewer IgA + cells but more SIgA in the intestinal contents compared to the large colon, along with a less diverse microbiome.

Implications of the Research

  • The fecal sample accurately represents the current state of the large colon in terms of the composition of the microbiome and SIgA content. However, it remains unknown how much it may be influenced by dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) in other parts of the digestive tract. This lack of clear understanding poses the need for further research in this field.

Cite This Article

APA
Żak-Bochenek A, Żebrowska-Różańska P, Bajzert J, Siwińska N, Madej JP, Kaleta-Kuratewicz K, Bochen P, Łaczmański Ł, Chełmońska-Soyta A. (2024). Comparison and characterization of the bacterial microbiota and SIgA production in different gastrointestinal segments in horses. Vet Res Commun. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10489-8

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Żak-Bochenek, Agnieszka
  • Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland. agnieszka.zak-bochenek@upwr.edu.pl.
Żebrowska-Różańska, P
  • Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland.
Bajzert, J
  • Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
Siwińska, N
  • Department of Internal Diseases and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
Madej, J P
  • Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
Kaleta-Kuratewicz, K
  • Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Division of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 25, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.
Bochen, P
  • Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland.
Łaczmański, Ł
  • Laboratory of Genomics and Bioinformatics, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Weigla 12, 53-114, Wrocław, Poland.
Chełmońska-Soyta, A
  • Department of Immunology, Pathophysiology and Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C. Norwida 31, 50-375, Wrocław, Poland.

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