Lachnospiraceae shift in the microbial community of mice faecal sample effects on water immersion restraint stress

Abstract

Stress, including both psychological and physical stimulation, can cause changes in the microbiota and mucosal function of the gastrointestinal system. There are few research studies available about the faecal microbiota changes after stress, such as water immersion restraint stress (WIRS). Therefore, in this study, we focused on analysing the composition changes of faecal microbiota in WIRS mice. The WIRS model, in which Blab/c mice were immersed in 21 ± 2 °C water for 4 h each day for 14 days, was established. Behavioural changes, the serum levels of corticosterone, IFN-γ and IL-17 and gastric mucosal injury were also assessed. Ten faecal microbiota samples were detected by Illumina Miseq sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes from 367205 characterised sequences. Finally, we find significant differences in the faecal microbiota composition between the control and the WIRS groups. There was an obvious increase in Lachnospiraceae in the WIRS mice (p = 0.0286, p < 0.05), which is associated with human diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and celiac disease. Our research indicates that stress changes in the faecal microbiota. These results suggest that observing shifts of the intestinal microbiota is a promising method to explore the mechanism of the stress associated with gastrointestinal diseases and to provide us with a better understanding of the relationship between the microbiota and disease.

Keywords: 16s rRNA; Faecal microbiota; Illumina Miseq sequencing; Microbial community; Water immersion restraint stress.

Fig. 1

Behaviour and biochemistry results of the WRIS. a CORT levels in serum; b IFN-γ levels in serum; c IL-17 levels in serum. Data in a, b, and c are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 5). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001

Fig. 2

Results of the rarefaction, Shannon, Specaccum accumulation and relative abundance analysis. a The rarefaction curve, b Shannon curve, c Specaccum accumulation curve, and d relative abundance curve

Fig. 3

Taxonomic composition. a The taxonomic composition diagram at the family level, and b taxonomic composition diagram at the genus level

Fig. 4

Venn diagrams for overlap between normal versus stress. Venn diagrams show the overlap in all OTUs calculated at the 3% dissimilarity level. The number of species in normal and stress group are 313 and 317. The number of species shared between groups is 289. Percentage of species that are shared in stress and normal groups is 84.75%. Venn diagrams show the overlap in all OTUs calculated at the 3% dissimilarity level. The number of species in normal and stress group are 313 and 317. The number of species shared between groups is 289. Percentage of species that are shared in stress and normal groups is 84.75%

Fig. 5

Heat map diagram at the family level

Fig. 6

Heat map diagram at the genus level

Fig. 7

Figure of community analysis. Data are expressed as the mean ± SEM (n = 5). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001