Data Sheet 1_Longitudinal gut microbiota dynamics in Antarctic research mission crews.docx

IntroductionA prolonged stay at Antarctic research stations poses unique challenges due to extreme environmental conditions, restricted diets, and cold temperatures, all of which can influence the gut microbiota, an important factor in host health. However, our understanding of how the Antarctic environment affects the gut microbiota remains limited due to small cohort sizes and short study durations.
MethodsWe analyzed 467 fecal samples collected longitudinally from 48 participants who stayed at Antarctic stations for up to 16 months.
ResultsBefore departing to the Antarctic bases, male participants exhibited three distinct types of gut microbiota, which were differentially altered during and after the stay, depending on the pre-existing microbiota type. Prevotella-dominant microbiota was more susceptible to environmental changes, including the diet, compared with Bacteroides-dominant microbiota. Although the dominant genera in the gut microbiota were stable across all microbiota types, minor genera with high variability could mediate changes in the microbiota. Sharing diets and having frequent contact resulted in cohabitation effects among genetically unrelated participants in the extremely isolated Antarctic environment. Although taxonomic composition shifted in response to the Antarctic environment, predicted functions of the gut microbiota remained relatively stable.
DiscussionThis study reveals that long-term residence in Antarctic research stations alters the gut microbiota in ways that depends on the intrinsic microbiota prior to the mission. These findings enhance our understanding of human gut microbiota adaptation under extreme and isolated environmental conditions.

引言：长期驻留南极科考站会面临独特挑战，这些挑战源于极端环境条件、受限膳食与低温环境，而上述因素均会影响肠道微生物群（gut microbiota）——后者是宿主健康的关键影响因素。然而，由于队列规模较小且研究周期较短，目前学界对南极环境如何影响肠道微生物群的认知仍较为有限。
方法：本研究对48名在南极科考站驻留最久达16个月的受试者进行了纵向追踪，共采集其467份粪便样本并开展分析。
结果：男性受试者在出发前往南极科考站前，其肠道微生物群存在三种不同型别；驻留期间及驻留结束后，肠道微生物群的变化模式因受试者初始的微生物群型别而异。与拟杆菌属（Bacteroides）主导型肠道微生物群相比，普雷沃菌属（Prevotella）主导型肠道微生物群对包括膳食在内的环境变化更为敏感。尽管所有微生物群型别的肠道优势菌属均保持相对稳定，但变异度较高的次要菌属可介导肠道微生物群的改变。在极度封闭隔离的南极环境中，共享膳食与频繁接触会导致无亲缘关系的受试者间出现菌群共居效应。尽管肠道微生物群的分类组成会随南极环境发生改变，但其预测功能仍保持相对稳定。
讨论：本研究表明，长期驻留南极科考站对肠道微生物群的改变模式，取决于受试者执行科考任务前的固有肠道微生物群特征。本研究结果有助于深化我们对极端隔离环境下人类肠道微生物群适应性变化的认知。