Gut bacteria from multiple sclerosis patients modulate human T cells and exacerbate symptoms in mouse models.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota regulates T cell functions throughout the body. We hypothesized that intestinal bacteria impact the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disorder of the CNS and thus analyzed the microbiomes of 71 MS patients not undergoing treatment and 71 healthy controls. Although no major shifts in microbial community structure were found, we identified specific bacterial taxa that were significantly associated with MS. Akkermansia muciniphila and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, both increased in MS patients, induced proinflammatory responses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in monocolonized mice. In contrast, Parabacteroides distasonis, which was reduced in MS patients, stimulated antiinflammatory IL-10-expressing human CD4⁺

SUBMITTER: Cekanaviciute E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5635915 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature