Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Distinct shifts in microbiota composition during Drosophila aging impair intestinal function and drive mortality

Clark, R.I.; Salazar, A.; Yamada, R.; Fitz-Gibbon, S.; Morselli, M.; Alcaraz, J.; Rana, A.; Rera, M.; Pellegrini, M.; Ja, W.W.; Walker, D.W.

Distinct shifts in microbiota composition during Drosophila aging impair intestinal function and drive mortality Thumbnail


Authors

A. Salazar

R. Yamada

S. Fitz-Gibbon

M. Morselli

J. Alcaraz

A. Rana

M. Rera

M. Pellegrini

W.W. Ja

D.W. Walker



Abstract

Alterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiota have been correlated with aging and measures of frailty in the elderly. However, the relationships between microbial dynamics, age-related changes in intestinal physiology, and organismal health remain poorly understood. Here, we show that dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, characterized by an expansion of the Gammaproteobacteria, is tightly linked to age-onset intestinal barrier dysfunction in Drosophila. Indeed, alterations in the microbiota precede and predict the onset of intestinal barrier dysfunction in aged flies. Changes in microbial composition occurring prior to intestinal barrier dysfunction contribute to changes in excretory function and immune gene activation in the aging intestine. In addition, we show that a distinct shift in microbiota composition follows intestinal barrier dysfunction, leading to systemic immune activation and organismal death. Our results indicate that alterations in microbiota dynamics could contribute to and also predict varying rates of health decline during aging in mammals.

Citation

Clark, R., Salazar, A., Yamada, R., Fitz-Gibbon, S., Morselli, M., Alcaraz, J., …Walker, D. (2015). Distinct shifts in microbiota composition during Drosophila aging impair intestinal function and drive mortality. Cell Reports, 12(10), 1656-1667. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.004

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 31, 2015
Online Publication Date Aug 28, 2015
Publication Date Sep 8, 2015
Deposit Date Aug 28, 2015
Publicly Available Date Sep 1, 2015
Journal Cell Reports
Print ISSN 2211-1247
Publisher Cell Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 12
Issue 10
Pages 1656-1667
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2015.08.004
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1432616

Files






You might also like



Downloadable Citations