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Updated: Jul 7, 2025
Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
A cross-sectional study of MRI features and the gut microbiome in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis
Feng Zhu1, Yinshan Zhao1, Douglas L Arnold2
1Department of Medicine (Neurology), The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
Gut bacteria like Tenericutes correlate with higher MRI lesion volume in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS). Conversely, Firmicutes and other bacteria are linked to lower lesion burden in pediatric MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Neuroimmunology
- Pediatric neurology
Background:
- Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating autoimmune disease affecting young individuals.
- The gut microbiome's role in neuroinflammation and MS pathogenesis is increasingly recognized.
- Understanding gut microbiome associations with disease markers like MRI lesion burden is crucial for pediatric MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gut microbiome composition and MRI-assessed lesion burden in pediatric-onset MS.
- To identify specific bacterial taxa (phyla and genera) associated with lesion volume in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of pediatric-onset MS participants from the Canadian Paediatric Demyelinating Disease Network.
- 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples to analyze gut microbiome features (diversity, taxa abundance).
- Brain MRI (T1 and T2 lesion volumes) acquired within 6 months of stool collection; statistical analysis using regression models.
Main Results:
- No significant association found between gut microbial alpha diversity and lesion volumes.
- Higher relative abundance of Tenericutes was associated with increased T1 and T2 lesion volumes.
- Increased lesion volumes were linked to higher Ruminiclostridium and lower Coprococcus 3 and Erysipelatoclostridium at the genus level.
Conclusions:
- Specific gut bacterial phyla and genera are associated with MRI lesion burden in pediatric-onset MS.
- These findings suggest a potential role for the gut microbiota in the pathophysiology of pediatric MS.
- Further research into gut microbiome modulation could offer novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric MS.
Objective:
To identify gut microbiome features associated with MRI lesion burden in persons with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (symptom onset <18 years).
Methods:
A cross-sectional study involving the Canadian Paediatric Demyelinating Disease Network study participants. Gut microbiome features (alpha diversity, phylum- and genus-level taxa) were derived using 16S rRNA sequencing from stool samples. T1- and T2-weighted lesion volumes were measured on brain MRI obtained within 6 months of stool sample procurement. Associations between the gut microbiota and MRI metrics (cube-root-transformed) were assessed using standard and Lasso regression models.
Results:
Thirty-four participants were included; mean ages at symptom onset and MRI were 15.1 and 19.0 years, respectively, and 79% were female. The T1- and T2-weighted lesion volumes were not significantly associated with alpha diversity (age and sex-adjusted p > 0.08). At the phylum level, high Tenericutes (relative abundance) was associated with higher T1 and T2 volumes (β coefficient = 0.25, 0.37) and high Firmicutes, Patescibacteria or Actinobacteria with lower lesion volumes (β coefficient = -0.30 to -0.07). At the genus level, high Ruminiclostridium, whereas low Coprococcus 3 and low Erysipelatoclostridium were associated with higher lesion volumes.
Interpretation:
Our study characterized the gut microbiota features associated with MRI lesion burden in pediatric-onset MS, shedding light onto possible pathophysiological mechanisms.
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