Alterations of host-gut microbiome interactions in multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Microbiome Research
• Metabolomics

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves complex genetic, immune, and metabolic factors.
• The gut microbiome's role in MS pathogenesis is increasingly recognized.
• Longitudinal interactions between the microbiome, immune system, metabolism, and diet in MS remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal interplay between gut microbiome, host immunity, and blood metabolome in MS.
• To identify specific microbial, immune, and metabolic signatures associated with MS.
• To explore dietary influences on these interconnected systems over time.

Main Methods:

• A six-month longitudinal multi-omics study involving 49 participants (24 MS patients, 25 controls).
• Gut microbiome analysis via 16S and metagenomic shotgun sequencing.
• Immune cell profiling by flow cytometry and metabolite analysis by UPLC-MS, supplemented with dietary records.

Main Results:

• MS patients showed decreased gut microbiota, altered blood immune cells, and perturbed metabolomes (e.g., linoleate pathway).
• A disrupted immune-microbiome relationship and a positive blood metabolome-microbiome correlation were observed in MS.
• Meat consumption correlated with decreased *B. thetaiotaomicron*, increased Th17 cells, and specific meat-associated metabolites.

Conclusions:

• Multi-system alterations in gut microbiota, immune cells, and blood metabolome are evident in MS patients.
• Multi-omics data integration revealed a network linking meat intake to microbial and immune changes.
• These findings suggest a potential biological network influenced by diet in MS pathogenesis.