The microbiome-gut-brain axis during early life regulates the hippocampal serotonergic system in a sex-dependent manner

Mol Psychiatry. 2013 Jun;18(6):666-73. doi: 10.1038/mp.2012.77. Epub 2012 Jun 12.

Abstract

Bacterial colonisation of the intestine has a major role in the post-natal development and maturation of the immune and endocrine systems. These processes are key factors underpinning central nervous system (CNS) signalling. Regulation of the microbiome-gut-brain axis is essential for maintaining homeostasis, including that of the CNS. However, there is a paucity of data pertaining to the influence of microbiome on the serotonergic system. Germ-free (GF) animals represent an effective preclinical tool to investigate such phenomena. Here we show that male GF animals have a significant elevation in the hippocampal concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, its main metabolite, compared with conventionally colonised control animals. Moreover, this alteration is sex specific in contrast with the immunological and neuroendocrine effects which are evident in both sexes. Concentrations of tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, are increased in the plasma of male GF animals, suggesting a humoral route through which the microbiota can influence CNS serotonergic neurotransmission. Interestingly, colonisation of the GF animals post weaning is insufficient to reverse the CNS neurochemical consequences in adulthood of an absent microbiota in early life despite the peripheral availability of tryptophan being restored to baseline values. In addition, reduced anxiety in GF animals is also normalised following restoration of the intestinal microbiota. These results demonstrate that CNS neurotransmission can be profoundly disturbed by the absence of a normal gut microbiota and that this aberrant neurochemical, but not behavioural, profile is resistant to restoration of a normal gut flora in later life.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Body Weight
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / microbiology
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Microbiota*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • Stress, Psychological / blood
  • Stress, Psychological / microbiology
  • Stress, Psychological / pathology
  • Tryptophan / metabolism
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, mouse
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Serotonin
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Tryptophan
  • Tph2 protein, mouse
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase