Microbiota-produced immune regulatory bile acid metabolites control central nervous system autoimmunity.

ABSTRACT: The commensal gut microbiota has a role in the pathogenesis of extra-intestinal autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) with unknown mechanisms. Deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) are secondary bile acid metabolites (BAMs) produced from primary bile acids by gut microbiota that play key immune regulatory functions by promoting FOXP3⁺ regulatory T (Treg) cell differentiation at the expense of Th17 cells. Here, we show that bacteria releasing enzymes responsible for secondary BAMs production are under-represented in the gut of MS patients, resulting in significantly reduced intestinal concentration of DCA and immune dysregulation with increased percentage of Th17 cells. We validated our human findings in a preclinical model of MS by showing that DCA/LCA

SUBMITTER: Antonini Cencicchio M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12047456 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature