Proteomic scrutiny of nasal microbiomes: implications for the clinic

ABSTRACT

Introduction

The nasal cavity is the initial site of the human respiratory tract and is one of the habitats where microorganisms colonize. The findings from a growing number of studies have shown that the nasal microbiome is an important factor for human disease and health. 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) are the most commonly used means of microbiome evaluation. Among them, 16S rRNA sequencing is the primary method used in previous studies of nasal microbiomes. However, neither 16S rRNA sequencing nor mNGS can be used to analyze the genes specifically expressed by nasal microorganisms and their functions. This problem can be addressed by proteomic analysis of the nasal microbiome.

Areas covered

In this review, we summarize current advances in research on the nasal microbiome, introduce the methods for proteomic evaluation of the nasal microbiome, and focus on the important roles of proteomic evaluation of the nasal microbiome in the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.

Expert opinion

The detection method for microbiome-expressed proteins is known as metaproteomics. Metaproteomic analysis can help us dig deeper into the nasal microbiomes and provide new targets and ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of many nasal dysbiosis-related diseases.

KEYWORDS:

• Nasal microbiome
• proteomics
• metaproteomics
• 16S rRNA sequencing
• metagenomic next-generation sequencing

Article highlights

• The nasal microbiome is an important factor for human disease and health.

• The changes in nasal microbiomes can cause the occurrence and deterioration of various diseases.

• At present, studies of nasal microbiomes have mainly involved chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic sinusitis and asthma, as well as neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s.

• Proteins are the main executors of various biological activities of microorganisms.

• Proteomic detection of the nasal microbiome can be used to analyze the genes specifically expressed by nasal microorganisms and their functions, thereby clarifying pathogenic mechanisms of pathogenic microorganisms and identifying disease-related biomarkers.

• Proteomic study of the nasal microbiome can be achieved by metaproteomics.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

One peer reviewer on this manuscript received an honorarium from Expert Review of Proteomics for their review work but have no other relevant financial relationships to disclose. The remaining reviewers have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Authors’ contributions

Ke Zhu and Yan Jin performed literature research and wrote the first draft. Yun Zhao and Andong He supervised literature research and revised the review. Chao Cao and Ran Wang conceived, organized, and revised the review. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the review.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82170016).