Impact of Species of Gut Microbiota on Gastrointestinal Complications Associated with Parkinson’s Disease Restricted; Files Only

Abstract

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a multifaceted disease commonly associated with the aggregation of alpha-synuclein in neurons and motor symptoms such as tremors and dyskinesia. However, data from recent studies suggests that gastrointestinal dysfunction and gut symptoms can emerge years before the onset of PD. Due to its role in modulating the function of the GI tract, gut microbiota serves as an important factor in understanding such symptoms of PD pathophysiology. These microbiomes may be doing so by influencing the function of enteroendocrine cells (EECs), chemosensory cells that line the epithelium within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This study looked at how individual species of bacteria that are associated with PD could contribute to gastrointestinal dysfunctional in mice models. We explored six different species of bacteria, Bifidobacterium breve, B. dentium, Lactobacillus fermentum, L. gasseri, L. johnsonii, and L. salivarius, and their contributions to EEC dysfunction by utilizing multiplexed ELISA and Western blot techniques to assess hormone levels and tight junction and alpha-synuclein densities. Our data demonstrated lower concentrations of hormones associated with gut motility in those with PD-associated bacteria. We also find higher concentrations of MCP-1 in mice mono-colonized with Bifidobacterium breve and lower fold change density in mice mono-colonized with Bifidobacterium lines. In addition, alpha-synuclein levels were found to be elevated in mice mono-colonized with Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus salivarius. These results suggest that each PD-associated bacterial specie may have a unique mechanism of contributing to the wide variety of GI symptoms expressed by PD patients. 

Table of Contents

Introduction............................................................................1

Methods..................................................................................3

Results.....................................................................................5

Discussion................................................................................10

References...............................................................................14

Figures and Tables...................................................................17 

About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Biology
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biology, General
Keyword	Enteroendocrine Cells Gut Microbiota Parkinson's Disease
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Sampson, Timothy, Emory University
Committee Members	Arbilly, Michal, Emory University Brennan, Patricia, Emory University

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