Dr. Hsieh, Patrick Ching-Ho 's publons link picture

Dr. Hsieh, Patrick Ching-Ho

Distinguished Research Fellow
Division Chief
  • 02-27899170 (Lab) (Room No: N417)
  • 02-27858594 (Fax)

Specialty:
  • Stem cells and regenerative medicine
  • Nanoscience and nanomedicine
  • Translational Research

Education and Positions:
  • M.D. Kaohsiung Medical College
    Ph.D. University of Washington, Seattle (Bioengineering)


  • Personal CV

  • Highlight Detail
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    Loss of Gut Microbiota Alters Immune System Composition and Cripples Post-Infarction Cardiac Repair

    Dr. Hsieh, Patrick Ching-Ho
    Circulation, Oct 08, 2018

    Background: The impact of gut microbiota on the regulation of host physiology has recently garnered considerable attention, particularly in key areas such as the immune system and metabolism. These areas are also crucial for the pathophysiology of and repair after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the role of the gut microbiota in the context of MI remains to be fully elucidated.

    Methods: To investigate the effects of gut microbiota on cardiac repair after myocardial infarction (MI), C57BL/6J mice were treated with antibiotics 7 days prior to MI to deplete mouse gut microbiota. Flow cytometry was applied to examine the changes in immune cell composition in the heart. 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing was conducted as a readout for changes in gut microbial composition. Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) species altered after antibiotic treatment were identified by HPLC. Fecal reconstitution, transplantation of monocytes, dietary SCFA or Lactobacillus probiotic supplementation was conducted to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of microbiota on the mice after MI.

    Results: Antibiotic-treated mice (ABX mice) displayed drastic, dose-dependent mortality after MI. We observed an association between the gut microbiota depletion and significant reductions in the proportion of myeloid cells, and SCFA, more specifically acetate, butyrate and propionate. Infiltration of CX3CR1+ monocytes to the peri-infarct zone after MI was also reduced, suggesting impairment of repair after MI. Accordingly, the physiological status and survival of mice were significantly improved following fecal reconstitution, transplantation of monocytes or dietary SCFA supplementation. MI was associated with a reorganization of the gut microbial community, such as a reduction in Lactobacillus. Supplementing ABX mice with a Lactobacillus probiotic prior to MI restored myeloid cell proportions, yielded cardioprotective effects and shifted the balance of SCFAs towards propionate.

    Conclusions: Gut microbiota-derived SCFAs play an important role in maintaining host immune composition and repair capacity after MI. This suggests that manipulation of these elements may provide opportunities to modulate pathological outcome after MI, and indeed human health and disease as a whole.