Abstract
Purpose :
Environmental light dark cycle is an important external cue to modulate many physiological functions of animals including circadian photo-entrainment. Recent studies indicated that aberrant light dark cycle such as dim night at night affects or chronic jet lag can influence the gut microbiome and metabolic status or mice. However, how does light modulate the gut microbiota remain unclear.
Methods :
We collected fecal samples from WT and ipRGC eliminated mice housed under different light dark cycle, and compare the microbiota between different mice and light dark cycle using 16S rRNA Next Generation Sequencing.
Results :
Our data suggests light influences gut microbiome composition, diversity and rhythmicity. Furthermore, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), a group of photoreceptors, act as key role to provide daily light dark cycle input for gut microbiome modulation.
Conclusions :
External light dark can regulate gut microbiome composition and rhythmicity through ipRGCs.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.