Integrated analysis of fecal metagenomics and metabolomics reveals the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of primary central nervous system lymphoma

Abstract

Abstract Background Gut microbiota is associated with the occurrence and progression of a variety of tumors through the brain-gut axis. However, the mechanism of its role in the pathogenesis of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is still unclear. Methods Patients with PCNSL (n = 33) and healthy people (n = 32) were chosen to participate in the study. Stool samples were collected separately from each participant for metagenomic and metabolomic analyses. Results The results demonstrated that there were differences in the gut microbial composition between PCNSL patients and healthy individuals. In PCNSL patients, both the Firmicutes/Bacteroides (F/B) ratio and the proteobacteria ratio were increased. Moreover, the gut microbiota might affect metabolic pathways, which in turn can affect PCNSL differentiation and proliferation. The alanine metabolic pathway was significantly more active in patients with PCNSL than in healthy individuals, whereas valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis, biosynthesis of amino acids, thiamine metabolism, biotin metabolism, and 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism were opposite. Conclusions our study demonstrated a considerable dysregulation of gut microbiota structure in PCNSL patients, mainly characterized by an upregulation of F/B and an increase in the ratio of proteobacteria.