Fecal microbiota transplant from long-living Ames dwarf mice alters the microbial composition and biomarkers of liver health in normal mice

Abstract

Aging is associated with intestinal dysbiosis, a condition characterized by diminished microbial biodiversity and inflammation. This leads to increased vulnerability to extraintestinal manifestations such as autoimmune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative conditions thereby accelerating mortality. As such, modulation of the gut microbiome is a promising way to extend healthspan. In this study, we explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) from long-living Ames dwarf donors to their normal littermates, and vice versa, on the recipient gut microbiota and liver transcriptome. Importantly, our previous studies highlight differences between the microbiome of Ames dwarf mice relative to their normal siblings, potentially contributing to their extended lifespan and remarkable healthspan. Our findings demonstrate that FMT from Ames dwarf mice to normal mice significantly alters the recipient’s gut microbiota, potentially reprogramming bacterial functions related to healthy aging, and changes the liver transcriptome, indicating improved metabolic health. Particularly, the microbiome of Ames dwarf mice, characterized by a higher abundance of beneficial bacterial families such as Peptococcaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Lachnospiraceae, appears to play a crucial role in modulating these effects. Alongside, our mRNA sequencing and RT-PCR validation reveals that FMT may contribute to the significant downregulation of p21, Elovl3, and Insig2, genes involved with cellular senescence and liver metabolic pathways. Our data suggest a regulatory axis exists between the gut and liver, highlighting the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies in promoting healthy aging. Future research should focus on functional validation of altered microbial communities and explore the underlying biomolecular pathways that confer geroprotection.