Informal BBE Seminar - Wei-Li Wu - Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 12 pm

Monday, July 8, 2024

12 pm

Chen 100 & Zoom (Link is Below)

https://caltech.zoom.us/j/84078881073

Meeting ID: 840 7888 1073

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+16699006833,,84078881073# US (San Jose)

+12133388477,,84078881073# US (Los Angeles)

Speaker: Wei- Li Wu, Associate Professor

Department of Physiology

National Cheng Kung University

Faculty Host: Sarkis Mazmanian

Stress coping is a vital mechanism intricately regulated to increase animal survival. Dysregulation of the stress response is a leading risk factor for numerous brain disorders. Previous studies have highlighted the critical role of commensal microbiota in maintaining stress response and social behavior. Specifically, we have identified Enterococcus faecalis (Ef) as a bacterium capable of suppressing corticosterone levels and promoting social behavior. This study aims to pinpoint Ef-derived metabolites involved in psychological stress regulation using multifaceted methodologies. To assess the stress-relieving effects of Ef, we colonized microbiota-deficient mice with three different strains of Ef (Ef1, Ef2, Ef3) and subjected them to acute stress. Notably, strain-specific Ef alleviated stress-induced gut dysmotility and reduced serum corticosterone levels. Additionally, chemogenetic inhibition of a brain circuit controlling sympathetic nerve activity alleviated gut dysmotility. Untargeted metabolomic profiling of blood from Ef-colonized mice post-stress revealed significant strain-dependent differences. Furthermore, delivering Ef-derived metabolites via osmotic pumps to stressed mice alleviated gut dysmotility. This study elucidates how a single bacterium can mitigate stress effects through its metabolites and influence the sympathetic nervous system, suggesting potential clinical applications for conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.