Intestinal flora treats multiple sclerosis
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital studied the effect of intestinal flora on brain cells using animal models and human cell culture. The study focuses on the effect of intestinal flora on two types of cells: microglia and astrocytes.
Microglia is an integral part of the body's immune system. It is responsible for removing plaques, damaged cells and other materials that can interfere with the normal functioning of the central nervous system. It also triggers pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic activity in astrocytes, but the mechanisms of these processes have not been fully understood.
A group of researchers led by Francisco Quintana in mice with autoimmune encephalitis (human multiple sclerosis models) determined that the factors TGFa and VEGF-B produced by microglia regulate the inflammatory activity of astrocytes.
TGFa, acting on the ErbB1 receptor in astrocytes, inhibits inflammation and the development of autoimmune encephalitis. Its VEGF-B antagonist triggers the pathogenic activity of astrocytes, causing the progression of the disease.
The regulatory effect of VEGF-B and TGFa microglia on astrocytes has also been confirmed in studies on human cell culture. In addition, scientists have found that the expression of TGFa and VEGF-B correlate with the stage of multiple sclerosis.
The group studied gut bacteria and the effect of dietary changes on a mouse model of multiple sclerosis. It was found that compounds released as a result of the breakdown of tryptophan coming from food can overcome the blood-brain barrier and affect microglial cells, increasing the production of anti-inflammatory factors that suspend neurodegeneration. The researchers also studied brain tissue samples from people suffering from multiple sclerosis, and in vitro found evidence of the same pathway of the effect of the intestinal flora.
Quintana and colleagues plan to continue studying the effect of tryptophan metabolites on microglia and astrocytes, as well as use probiotics to identify additional links that are involved in the process and develop new methods for treating neurological diseases.
Article V. Rothhammer et al. Microglial control of astrocytes in response to microbial metabolites is published in the journal Nature.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http//vechnayamolodost.ru