Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
11:22
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
30.4K
Gut microbiome is associated with multiple sclerosis activity in children
Mary K Horton1, Kathryn McCauley2, Douglas Fadrosh2
1Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA.
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
|August 19, 2021
Summary
Gut microbes, including butyrate producers like Odoribacter and Butyricicoccus, are linked to reduced multiple sclerosis (MS) activity. Microbial networks also correlated with disease progression, suggesting microbiome-based interventions for MS.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neuroimmunology
- Genetics
Background:
- The gut microbiome's role in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding specific microbial associations with MS activity is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify gut microbiome features associated with longitudinal multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity in pediatric-onset patients.
- To explore the relationship between microbial abundance, co-occurrence networks, and clinical/radiological MS outcomes.
Main Methods:
- 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing was performed on stool samples from 55 pediatric-onset MS patients.
- Weighted genetic correlation network analyses identified microbial networks.
- Cox proportional hazards models assessed associations between microbiome features and MS activity (relapses, MRI lesions).
Main Results:
- Five microbes, including butyrate producers Odoribacter and Butyricicoccus, were nominally associated with reduced MS activity.
- Two microbial networks (Modules 32 and 33) were significantly associated with increased hazard of new/enlarging T2 and gadolinium-enhancing lesions.
- Metagenomic analysis indicated enrichment of amino acid biosynthesis pathways in associated microbial networks.
Conclusions:
- Both individual gut microbes and microbial networks are associated with multiple sclerosis disease activity over time.
- The findings highlight the potential role of butyrate production and amino acid metabolism in MS.
- Personalized microbiome interventions targeting these pathways could modify MS disease activity.
