New Delhi: A recent study has revealed a strong connection between the gut microbiome and the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Conducted by researchers at Yale University, the study suggests that differences in gut bacteria may contribute to the onset of MS and help explain why some individuals develop the condition while others do not.
The gut microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria and microorganisms that play a crucial role in overall health. Researchers found that MS patients exhibited distinct bacterial imbalances compared to healthy individuals. Notably, MS patients had a lower abundance of gut bacteria coated with an antibody called host immunoglobulin A (IgA), which plays a key role in immune regulation.
According to Erin Longbrake, Associate Professor of Neurology and the study’s lead investigator, the reduced IgA-coated bacteria in MS patients indicate a possible disruption in host-microbe interactions. She further noted that environmental factors might increase susceptibility to MS by altering gut bacteria composition.
The study, published in Neurology Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation, involved 43 individuals newly diagnosed with MS who had not yet undergone immune therapy. Their gut microbiomes were compared with those of 42 healthy individuals. Stool sample analysis revealed that Faecalibacterium species were less abundant in MS patients, whereas Monoglobus species were found in higher quantities in those not yet treated for the disease.
To further investigate the microbiome’s role, researchers analyzed additional stool samples from 19 MS patients who had undergone B-cell depletion therapy—a treatment that targets immune cells contributing to autoimmune diseases. After six months of treatment, their gut microbiomes closely resembled those of healthy individuals, suggesting that immune therapy influences gut bacteria composition.
These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms behind MS and the role of gut bacteria in immune function. The study suggests that alterations in gut microbiota could be a key factor in MS development and that targeting these microbial changes might open new avenues for treatment.