Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota
06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

14.9K

Increased Gut Microbiota Diversity in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa and Implications for Disease Phenotypes and

Tomoko Hasegawa1,2, Sachiko Iwai1, Hanako Ohashi Ikeda1,3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|February 11, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients show altered gut bacteria. Antibiotic treatment in RP mice improved retinal health by reducing inflammation, suggesting gut microbiota modulation as a potential therapy for RP.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Inflammation is a common feature in retinitis pigmentosa (RP), impacting visual outcomes.
  • The gut microbiota significantly influences inflammatory processes in the body.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between gut microbiota composition and retinitis pigmentosa.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of modulating gut microbiota in RP.

Main Methods:

  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing of stool samples from 103 RP patients and 64 healthy controls.
  • Comparison of gut microbiota diversity and abundance between groups, including RP patients with and without cystoid macular edema (CME).
  • Evaluation of retinal structure and function in RP model mice treated with antibiotics.

Main Results:

  • RP patients exhibited significantly higher gut microbiota diversity than healthy individuals.
  • RP patients with CME showed greater diversity and increased abundance of specific bacteria (Romboutsia, Ruminococcus).
  • Antibiotic treatment in RP mice preserved retinal function, reduced photoreceptor loss, suppressed apoptosis, and downregulated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway components.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct gut microbiota profiles are observed in RP patients compared to healthy individuals.
  • Antibiotic administration attenuated disease progression in an RP mouse model.
  • Targeting the gut microbiota represents a promising therapeutic avenue for retinitis pigmentosa.

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