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Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
11:22

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Immune Cells as Mediators Between Gut Microbiota and Multiple Sclerosis: Insights From Mendelian Randomization

Pingping Ning1,2, Xin Mu3, Xiaohui Zhang1,2

  • 1Department of Geriatric Neurology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China.

Immunity, Inflammation and Disease
|June 29, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study explored gut microbes and immune cells in multiple sclerosis (MS). Certain gut bacteria may influence MS through specific T cell activations, suggesting a link between the gut microbiome and MS pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Microbiome research
  • Genetic epidemiology

Background:

  • Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neuroimmunological disease affecting young adults.
  • The gut microbiota and immune system are implicated in MS, but mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate causal links between gut microbiota, immune traits, and MS using Mendelian randomization.
  • To identify specific microbial taxa and immune pathways associated with MS risk.

Main Methods:

  • Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed.
  • Genetic data from large cohorts for gut microbiota (18,340), immune traits (3,757), and MS cases/controls (47,429/68,374) were utilized.

Main Results:

  • Six microbial taxa showed nominal associations with MS.
  • Roseburia and Ruminococcus2 potentially mediated MS risk through CD28+ CD4+ and HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cell phenotypes.
  • Mediation analysis indicated 8.97% and 12.18% of effects were potentially mediated.

Conclusions:

  • Exploratory findings suggest immune cell activation (CD4+, CD8+ T cells) may link gut microbiota to MS.
  • These results are hypothesis-generating and require further validation in independent studies and experiments.
Keywords:
gut microbiotaimmune cellsimmune traitsmendelian randomizationmultiple sclerosis

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