The study shows that gut bacteria are able to cope with neuroinflammation. The discovery offers a simple and safe way to treat not only multiple sclerosis, but other autoimmune as well as neurodegenerative diseases.
An abnormal response of the immune system to the cells of the central nervous system underlies the mechanism of development of a number of diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. In search of ways to influence the disease outside of the brain tissue, access to which is limited by the blood-brain barrier, scientists studied the properties of dendritic cells. These immune cells are present in both the brain and the gastrointestinal tract.
It turned out that dendritic cells use a certain biochemical pathway, blocking the ability for other immune cells to attack internal organs, reported on the Harvard University website.
“The new mechanism is like a brake on the immune system. In healthy people, it is activated, but in autoimmune diseases there are problems, because of which the body cannot protect itself, ”explained Francisco Kitana, author of the work.
Further experiments showed that the biochemical brake could be activated by lactate molecules. To this end, scientists have developed lactate-producing probiotics and injected them into mice with multiple sclerosis.
The results were impressive: gut bacteria were able to reduce inflammation in the brain.
Since no evidence of lactate was found in the mice’s blood, the scientists hypothesized direct signaling between gut and brain cells.
“Over the past decades, we have learned about the significant impact of gut bacteria on the CNS. Now we see that we can use this approach in the treatment of multiple sclerosis,” said Kitana. In addition to multiple sclerosis, other inflammatory diseases are currently being considered that probiotics can help combat. Even if a disease cannot be completely cured, simply and safely managing the symptoms of a chronic disease can significantly improve the quality of life of patients.
Another study confirms the potential of a new treatment strategy: Previously, scientists were able to cure multiple sclerosis by “rebooting” gut bacteria.
2023-08-28 19:08:25
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