16S rRNA and Metatranscriptomic Sequencing of Neonates at risk for NEC

Loss of Paneth cell (PC) function is implicated in intestinal dysbiosis,mucosal inflammation and numerous intestinal disorders. Deletion of the zinc transporter ZnT2 (SLC30A2) in mice leads to loss of PC granule zinc accumulation, and defects in granule formation, secretion, and antimicrobial activity. Here we tested the hypothesis that defects in ZnT2 function are associated with intestinal dysbiosis and dysfunction in humans.Methods: DNA was collected from healthy preterm infants (26-37 wks) and SLC30A2 was sequenced. Structural analysis combined with a functional assay determined the impact of ZnT2 mutations on ZnT2 function. Stool was collected, and 16S rRNA sequencing and RNAseq of bacterial and human DNA was conducted.

潘氏细胞（Paneth cell, PC）功能缺失与肠道菌群失调、黏膜炎症及多种肠道疾病密切相关。小鼠体内锌转运体ZnT2（SLC30A2）的敲除会导致潘氏细胞颗粒的锌蓄积丧失，并引发颗粒形成、分泌及抗菌活性缺陷。本研究旨在验证“人类体内ZnT2功能缺陷与肠道菌群失调及功能异常相关”这一假说。方法：本研究收集了孕26-37周的健康早产儿的DNA样本，并对SLC30A2基因进行测序。通过结构分析结合功能实验，明确了ZnT2突变对其自身功能的影响。研究人员采集受试者的粪便样本后，针对细菌与人类DNA分别开展16S核糖体RNA（16S rRNA）测序及RNA测序（RNAseq）。