Dysbiosis-Associated Change in Host Metabolism Generates Lactate to Support Salmonella Growth

Publication date: Available online 21 December 2017
Source:Cell Host & Microbe
Author(s): Caroline C. Gillis, Elizabeth R. Hughes, Luisella Spiga, Maria G. Winter, Wenhan Zhu, Tatiane Furtado de Carvalho, Rachael B. Chanin, Cassie L. Behrendt, Lora V. Hooper, Renato L. Santos, Sebastian E. Winter
During Salmonella-induced gastroenteritis, mucosal inflammation creates a niche that favors the expansion of the pathogen population over the microbiota. Here, we show that Salmonella Typhimurium infection was accompanied by dysbiosis, decreased butyrate levels, and substantially elevated lactate levels in the gut lumen. Administration of a lactate dehydrogenase inhibitor blunted lactate production in germ-free mice, suggesting that lactate was predominantly of host origin. Depletion of butyrate-producing Clostridia, either through oral antibiotic treatment or as part of the pathogen-induced dysbiosis, triggered a switch in host cells from oxidative metabolism to lactate fermentation, increasing both lactate levels and Salmonella lactate utilization. Administration of tributyrin or a PPARγ agonist diminished host lactate production and abrogated the fitness advantage conferred on Salmonella by lactate utilization. We conclude that alterations of the gut microbiota, specifically a depletion of Clostridia, reprogram host metabolism to perform lactate fermentation, thus supporting Salmonella infection.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Intestinal infection with Salmonella Typhimurium results in inflammation-induced dysbiosis. Gillis et al. demonstrate that depletion of commensal Clostridia reduces butyrate availability and subsequently alters host metabolism to produce lactate. Lactate oxidation by Salmonella enhances fitness in the gut and allows the pathogen to outcompete the microbiota.


http://ift.tt/2BOEJC9