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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
The chicken or the egg dilemma: intestinal dysbiosis in multiple sclerosis
Javier Ochoa-Repáraz1, Krisztian Magori1, Lloyd H Kasper2
1Department of Biology, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA, USA.
Abstract:
Recent findings suggest that the intestinal microbiota of patients suffering from relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) shows changes on the relative abundances of archaeal and bacterial genera. Although the richness and overall structure of the microbiota may be similar compared to the intestinal microbiota of healthy controls, elevated and reduced frequencies suggest a dysbiotic microbiota in MS. Over the past decade experimental evidence obtained in murine models of the disease highlighted the important relevance of the microbiota in the regulation of the immune system and in the severity of the disease. More recent findings on peripheral immune cells derived from human MS patients support the initial observations that changes in the microbiota may affect immunological pathways that could exacerbate disease. However, important questions remain to be answered. For instance, it is unclear whether dysbiosis precedes disease or, if in the contrary, an autoimmune disease such as MS can lead to gut dysbiosis. In this brief discussion, we speculate about this later possibility based on findings observed in murine models of disease. Further human studies are needed to answer the dilemma and determine specific immunomodulatory pathways that could have an impact on the therapeutic approaches to treat MS.
Insights
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit altered gut microbiota, with specific bacterial and archaeal changes indicating dysbiosis. This gut dysbiosis may influence immune responses and disease severity in MS.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Intestinal microbiota alterations, specifically in archaeal and bacterial genera, are observed in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- While overall microbial richness may be similar to healthy individuals, shifts in relative abundances suggest a dysbiotic gut environment in MS.
- Experimental models and human studies indicate the gut microbiota's role in regulating immune responses and influencing MS disease severity.
Discussion:
- The precise relationship between gut dysbiosis and MS remains unclear: does dysbiosis precede MS, or does MS cause gut dysbiosis?
- Evidence from murine models suggests that autoimmune diseases like MS could potentially lead to gut dysbiosis.
- Investigating this causal link is crucial for understanding MS pathogenesis.
Key Insights:
- Changes in the gut microbiota composition are linked to altered immune cell function in MS patients.
- Dysbiosis may exacerbate MS by affecting immunological pathways.
- The gut microbiota's influence on the immune system is a significant factor in MS.
Outlook:
- Further human studies are required to resolve the etiological question of whether dysbiosis precedes or follows MS.
- Identifying specific immunomodulatory pathways affected by the gut microbiota is essential.
- Understanding these pathways could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for MS treatment.
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