Cited by 189Gut microbiota and healthOral microbiology and periodontitis researchBlood Coagulation and Thrombosis Mechanisms

Microbial Transplantation With Human Gut Commensals Containing CutC Is Sufficient to Transmit Enhanced Platelet Reactivity and Thrombosis Potential

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Skye, Sarah M., Zhu, Weifei, Romano, Kymberleigh A., Guo, Chun-Jun, Wang, Zeneng, Jia, Xun, Kirsop, Jennifer, Haag, Bridget +7 more·2018·Circulation Research

Abstract

Rationale: Gut microbes influence cardiovascular disease and thrombosis risks through the production of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Microbiota-dependent generation of trimethylamine (TMA)—the precursor to TMAO—is rate limiting in the metaorganismal TMAO pathway in most humans and is catalyzed by several distinct microbial choline TMA-lyases, including the proteins encoded by the cutC/D (choline utilization C/D) genes in multiple human commensals. Objective: Direct demonstration that the gut microbial cutC gene is sufficient to transmit enhanced platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in a host via TMA/TMAO generation has not yet been reported. Methods and Results: Herein, we use gnotobiotic mice and a series of microbial colonization studies to show that microbial cutC -dependent TMA/TMAO production is sufficient to transmit heightened platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in a host. Specifically, we examine in vivo thrombosis potential employing germ-free mice colonized with either high TMA-producing stable human fecal polymcrobial communities or a defined CutC-deficient background microbial community coupled with a CutC-expressing human commensal±genetic disruption of its cutC gene (ie, Clostridium sporogenes Δ cutC ). Conclusions: Collectively, these studies point to the microbial choline TMA-lyase pathway as a rational molecular target for the treatment of atherothrombotic heart disease.

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Crossref · 10.1161/circresaha.118.313142

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  • A gain-of-function C. sporogenes mutant present at only about 0.1% in the large intestine elevated circulating TMA and TMAO levels and enhanced thrombus formation and reduced time to cessation of blood flow following arterial injury in vivo.

    “While only present at a very low abundance (only ~ 0.1%) within the large intestine gut microbial community, the gain-of-function C. sporogenes mutant elevated circulating TMA and TMAO levels within the host, and both enhanced rate of thrombus formation and reduced time to cessation of blood flow following arterial injury in vivo14.”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

  • Trimethylamine N-oxide has been shown to promote platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential, vascular inflammation and inflammasome activation, and heightened heart failure and chronic kidney disease related phenotypes in animal models.

    “It has also been shown to promote platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential14, 83–85, vascular inflammation and inflammasome activation86–88, heightened heart failure89–91 and CKD92–95 related phenotypes in animal models (Figure 2).”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

  • Studies using germ-free mice colonized with synthetic microbial communities with or without a genetically engineered gain or loss of function cutC mutant human commensal confirmed that a functional microbial cutC gene is sufficient to transmit trimethylamine and trimethylamine N-oxide generation, as well as in vivo thrombosis potential.

    “Importantly, studies using germ-free mice colonized with synthetic microbial communities +/- a genetically engineered gain or loss of function cutC mutant human commensal confirmed that a functional microbial cutC gene is sufficient to transmit TMA and TMAO generation, as well as in vivo thrombosis potential.”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

  • Trimethylamine N-oxide alters human platelet calcium signaling, heightening platelet responsiveness to sub-maximal stimulation by agonists such as thrombin, ADP, and collagen.

    “Zhu et al. found that TMAO alters human platelet calcium signaling, heightening their responsiveness to sub-maximal stimulation by agonists (e.g. thrombin, ADP, collagen).”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

  • TMAO levels appear to be driven more by gut microbial community composition than by dietary intervention, and significant variation in TMAO production among individuals on a given diet is observed.

    “Notably, however, TMAO levels appear to be driven more so by the gut microbial community composition than by the dietary intervention, and significant variation in TMAO production among individuals on a given diet is observed14, 111.”

    From Gut microbiota and cardiovascular disease. (2020) · cites this paper as [14]

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Authors
Skye, S. M., Zhu, W., Romano, K. A., Guo, C.-J., Wang, Z., Jia, X., Kirsop, J., Haag, B., Lang, J. M., DiDonato, J. A., Tang, W. H. W., Lusis, A. J., Rey, F. E., Fischbach, M. A., & Hazen, S. L.
Affiliations
  • Cleveland Clinic (US)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
Venue
Circulation Research
Published
2018-10-26
Volume
123
Issue
10
Pages
1164-1176
ISSN
  • 0009-7330 (ISSN-L)
  • 1524-4571
OpenAlex
W2898598580
Cited by
189
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 27 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 2
FWCI
5.51
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Circulation Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • National Institutes of Health (1s10od016346-01a1, 5t32dk007470-35)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (P01HL030568, R01HL126827, T32HL134622, R01HL103866)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R01DK110174, DP1DK113598, R01DK106000, R01DK108259, T32-DK 007470, R01DK101674)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Dentistry › Periodontics › Oral microbiology and periodontitis research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Hematology › Blood Coagulation and Thrombosis Mechanisms
Keywords
gut microbiota, trimethylamine N-oxide, trimethylamine, platelet reactivity, thrombosis, Clostridium sporogenes, gnotobiotic mice, microbial colonization, cardiovascular risk
MeSH terms
Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Fecal Microbiota Transplantation, Adult, Animals, Bacterial Proteins, Choline, Clostridium, Female, Humans, Lyases, Male, Methylamines, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Middle Aged, Thrombosis, Platelet Activation, Mice

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