Characterization of Early Life Stress-Affected Gut Microbiota

Abstract

Early life stress (ELS), such as neglect and maltreatment, exhibits a strong impact on the mental and brain development of children. However, it is not fully understood how ELS affects the body and behavior of children. Therefore, in this study, we performed social isolation on weaned pre-adolescent mice and investigated how ELS could affect gut microbiota and mouse behavior. Using the metagenomics approach, we detected an overall ELS-related change in the gut microbiota and identified Bacteroidales and Clostridiales as significantly altered bacterial groups. These metagenomic alterations impaired social behavior in ELS mice, which also correlated with the abundance of Bacteroidales and Clostridiales. Our results demonstrate that ELS alters the gut microbiota and reduces social behavior in adolescent mice.

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“…Previous studies have reported that social isolation at preadolescent period caused the reduction of sociality in mice (Makinodan et al, 2012;Usui et al, 2021b). Here we showed that various social impairments and increased anxiety-like behaviors in ELS mice (Figures 2, 3).…”

“…In addition, reduced synapses and endogenous excitatory subtypes of the layer 5 pyramidal neurons were reported in the PFC of mice socially isolated for the same period (Yamamuro et al, 2018). We have also reported that social isolation during P21-53 induced the alteration of gut microbiota in mice (Usui et al, 2021b). These studies indicate that social isolation causes a lack of social experience and isolation stress, resulting in serious impacts on both PFC architecture and physical health.…”

“…Mice were housed in the barrier facilities of University of Fukui under 50% humidity and a 12:12 h light:dark cycle (8:00 to 20:00) and given free access to water and food. Social isolationinduced ELS was performed as described previously (Usui et al, 2021b). Briefly, the used experimental and control mice came from the litters of the same mother.…”

“…Three-chamber social interaction test was performed as described previously (Usui et al, 2021b). Sociability and social novelty behaviors were assessed using a three-chamber box (W610 × D400 × H220 mm) with an infrared video camera system (O'Hara & Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) at P53 after collecting fecal samples.…”

Early Life Stress Alters Gene Expression and Cytoarchitecture in the Prefrontal Cortex Leading to Social Impairment and Increased Anxiety

“…Mice were housed in the barrier facilities of University of Fukui under 50% humidity and a 12:12 h light:dark cycle (8:00 to 20:00) and given free access to water and food. Social isolation-induced ELS was performed as described previously ( Usui et al, 2021b ). Briefly, the used experimental and control mice came from the litters of the same mother.…”