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Published on: June 2, 2022
Gut microbiota and myelination: Crosstalk across the lifespan and microbiota-based modulation strategies
Qing Li1, Gang Wang1, Jianxin Zhao1
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, PR China.
Abstract:
Myelin, a lipid-rich sheath that insulates axons, is essential for efficient neural signal transmission and the modulation of neural circuits. Its formation, maintenance, and regeneration are tightly regulated processes that shape neurodevelopment, cognition, and emotional stability. Recent evidence positions the gut microbiota as a critical modulator of myelination, orchestrating metabolic signaling, immune homeostasis, and neuroinflammatory responses. Notably, the synchronized development and remodeling of gut microbiota and myelin across key life stages suggest a dynamic and bidirectional interplay essential for sustaining neurological health. Disruptions in this axis are increasingly recognized as contributing factors in dysmyelination-related disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Harnessing microbiota-targeted interventions-such as fecal microbiota transplantation, dietary modulation, and probiotic therapies-holds promise for restoring myelin integrity and mitigating disease pathology. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the gut microbiota-myelin interface, delineating mechanistic insights and translational opportunities for microbiome-based therapeutic strategies in neuroprotection.
Insights
The gut microbiota significantly influences myelin, the insulation crucial for brain function. Targeting the gut microbiome offers promising therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders affecting myelin.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Myelin is vital for neural signal transmission and brain development.
- The gut microbiota plays a role in immune and metabolic regulation.
- A connection between the gut microbiota and myelin (the gut-myelin axis) is emerging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the gut microbiota-myelin interface.
- To explore the mechanisms by which gut microbes influence myelination.
- To discuss therapeutic opportunities targeting the gut microbiome for neurological health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on gut microbiota, myelination, and neurological disorders.
- Synthesis of mechanistic insights into the gut-myelin axis.
- Analysis of potential microbiota-targeted interventions.
Main Results:
- The gut microbiota modulates myelination through metabolic and immune pathways.
- Disruptions in the gut-myelin axis are linked to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Microbiota-targeted interventions show potential for myelin repair.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiota is a critical regulator of myelin integrity.
- The gut-myelin axis represents a promising therapeutic target for neurological conditions.
- Further research into microbiome-based strategies could advance neuroprotection.
