A multi-omics study to investigate the progression of the Correa pathway in gastric mucosa in the context of cirrhosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) are prone to gastric mucosa damage. We investigated the alterations of gastric mucosa in LC patients and their possible mechanisms through multi-omics. Results We observed significant gastric mucosa microbial dysbiosis in LC subjects. Gastric mucosal microbiomes of LC patients contained a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus, Neisseria, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Porphyromonas, as well as a decreased abundance in Helicobacter and Achromobacter, than control subjects. The LC patients had higher levels of bile acids (BAs) and long-chain acylcarnitines (long-chain ACs) in serum. The gastric mucosal microbiomes were associated with serum levels of BAs and long-chain ACs. Transcriptome analyses of gastric mucosa revealed an upregulation of endothelial cell specific molecule 1, serpin family E member 1, mucin 2, caudal type homeobox 2, retinol binding protein 2, and defensin alpha 5 in LC group. Besides, the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathway was significantly upregulated in the LC group. Conclusions The alterations in the gastric mucosal microbiome and transcriptome of LC patients were identified. The impaired energy metabolism and hypoxia in gastric mucosal cells might aggravate the inflammation of gastric mucosa and even exacerbate the Correa's cascade process. Trial registration number ChiCTR2100051070