The protective effect of Helicobacter Pylori infection on the susceptibility of multiple sclerosis
Reza Ranjbar1, Sajad Karampoor2, Farid Azizi Jalilian3
1Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
In recent years, a possible protective role of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) against autoimmune disease has been reported in an experimental murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS), and there are restricted conflicting epidemiologic data concerning Hp serology in MS patients. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Hp in MS patients and then investigates pro/anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in MS patients infected with HP and seronegative MS patients. Three hundred eighty-seven patients with MS were included in the study and were adjusted by gender and age to 420 healthy subjects. An enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to determine the presence of specific IgG antibodies against H. pylori in the serum sample of both groups. Some pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines levels were evaluated in seropositive/seronegative MS patients and healthy individuals. Our result showed that in patients with MS HP seropositivity was significantly lower than the healthy individual (P < .0001). Also, we showed that HP seropositive MS patients had lower Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) when compared with seronegative MS patients (P < .011). Moreover, we illustrated that proinflammatory cytokine levels include IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17 in MS patients infected with HP were lower than seronegative MS patients. Besides, the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines include IL-4 and IL-10 was significantly higher in MS patients infected with HP when compared with MS patients seronegative for HP infection. In this study, we indicated that HP infection negatively correlated with MS, and conceivably may act as a protective agent against MS. The precise mechanism behind this protective effect remains elusive. However, it seems HP can modulate cytokine signaling, which involved in MS pathogenesis.
Insights
Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection appears protective against multiple sclerosis (MS). Patients with MS had lower Hp seropositivity and reduced disease severity, with altered cytokine profiles suggesting a potential therapeutic role for Hp.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Emerging evidence suggests a potential protective role for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in autoimmune diseases, specifically multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Epidemiological data on Hp serology in MS patients are conflicting, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence of Hp in MS patients compared to healthy individuals.
- To investigate the relationship between Hp infection and disease severity (Expanded Disability Status Scale - EDSS) in MS patients.
- To analyze pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine profiles in relation to Hp infection status in MS.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) was used to detect specific IgG antibodies against H. pylori in serum samples.
- A cohort of 387 MS patients was age and gender-matched with 420 healthy controls.
- Levels of cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10 were measured.
Main Results:
- Hp seropositivity was significantly lower in MS patients compared to healthy individuals (P < .0001).
- MS patients with Hp infection exhibited a lower EDSS score (P < .011) compared to seronegative MS patients.
- Hp-seropositive MS patients showed reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17) and elevated anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) compared to seronegative MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Hp infection is negatively correlated with MS, suggesting a potential protective role.
- Hp infection may modulate the immune response in MS by altering pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.
- The precise mechanisms underlying Hp's potential protective effect in MS require further elucidation.
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