The ability to define mechanism(s) governing the ability of external factors, such as stress and diet, to impact the microbiota-gut-brain axis and ultimately cognition, can be approached through the identification of common factors that unite all elements. The presence of behavior-relevant neurochemicals within the diet, microbiome and host (especially during periods of stress) represents a common (evolutionary) shared factor that serves as the basis for developing mechanisms that govern interactions central to the functioning of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This approach has been termed microbial endocrinology and represents the intersection of two seemingly disparate fields, microbiology and neurobiology. Microbial endocrinology is therefore based on the shared presence of neurochemicals that are exactly the same in structure in the host as in the diet and microorganism. While the presence of neurochemicals has been well-recognized in food science for decades, the ability of microorganisms not only to respond to, but also to synthesize, many of the same neurochemicals produced by the host (i.e. during periods of stress) is a more recent development. Production of neurochemicals by microorganisms usually employs the same biosynthetic pathways as those utilized by the host, indicating that acquisition of a neurochemical-based signaling system in the host may have been acquired due to lateral gene transfer from microorganisms. Such recognition of a common shared signaling system suggests there is a common evolutionary-based mechanistic pathway by which the host may interact with the microbiota in a bi-directional fashion influencing aspects of both disease (i.e. infection) and health (i.e.) such as during periods of stress. The addition of food-based neurochemicals constitutes another element in the functioning of the microbiota-gut-brain axis as it provides neurochemical substrates that first influence the microbiota which in turn influences the host. This presentation will present results from studies which have utilized in vitro and in vivo models to examine microbial endocrinology as one of the mechanisms governing the interplay between diet, stress and the microbiome on host health (i.e. susceptibility to infection) and behavior.

Microbial endocrinology as a mechanism governing the interplay between diet, stress and the microbiome on host health and behavior

254th National Meeting (2017)

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