Gut commensal bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus exacerbates helminth-induced cardiac fibrosis through succinate accumulation.
Trichinella spiralis (Ts) is known to cause cardiac fibrosis, which is a critical precursor to various heart diseases, and its progression is influenced by metabolic changes. However, the metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we observed that Ts-infected mice exhibited cardiac fibrosis along wi...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-04-01
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| Series: | PLoS Pathogens |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1013069 |
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| Summary: | Trichinella spiralis (Ts) is known to cause cardiac fibrosis, which is a critical precursor to various heart diseases, and its progression is influenced by metabolic changes. However, the metabolic mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we observed that Ts-infected mice exhibited cardiac fibrosis along with elevated succinate levels in the heart using metabolomic analysis. Administration of succinate exacerbated fibrosis during Ts infection, while deficiency in succinate receptor 1 (Sucnr1) alleviated the condition, highlighting the role of the succinate-Sucnr1 axis in fibrosis development. Furthermore, metagenomics sequencing showed that Ts-infected mice had a higher abundance ratio of succinate-producing bacteria to succinate-consuming bacteria in the intestines. Notably, the succinate-producer Bacteroides vulgatus was enriched in Ts group. Oral supplementation with B. vulgatus aggravated Ts-induced cardiac fibrosis. In summary, our findings underscore the succinate-Sucnr1 axis as a critical pathway in helminth-induced cardiac fibrosis and highlight the potential of targeting this axis for therapeutic interventions. This study presents novel insights into the gut-heart axis, revealing innovative strategies for managing cardiovascular complications associated with helminth infections. |
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| ISSN: | 1553-7366 1553-7374 |