Stress, microbiota and immunity
Scientists have explained how stress leads to autoimmune diseases
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
Stressful events in life contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, but there is no consensus on how this happens in the scientific community. A study conducted in the USA (Werbner et al., Social-Stress-Responsive Microbiota Induces Stimulation of Self-Reactive Effector T Helper Cells // mSystems) indicates a very likely scenario.
The work of American scientists shows that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the relationship between stress and autoimmune response in the body. The team found that in mice, stress caused changes in gut bacteria, which in turn stimulated the activity of immune cells, increasing the likelihood of the immune system to attack healthy tissues.
The most common autoimmune diseases include multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, scleroderma and pulmonary fibrosis.
There are hereditary risks, but it is believed that most diseases occur as a result of a combination of factors – genetic and environmental.
The close relationship between immunity and microbiota has been known for a long time, so scientists planned to identify signs of bacterial reactions in response to stress, according to the website of the American Society of Microbiologists (How Stressed-Out Bacteria May Trigger Autoimmune Response). The team conducted experiments with mice for 10 days. One group was in comfortable conditions, and the other was subjected to stress in the form of daily meetings with dominant aggressive rodents.
The experiment showed that the stressed mice had a higher concentration of some bacteria in the microbiota. Among them were microbes that are characteristic of the microbiota of people suffering from multiple sclerosis.
The team then examined the lymphatic corners of the rodents and found an increase in the number of several pathogenic bacterial species. In addition, there was a higher percentage of T cells that play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases.
Scientists believe that further research may point to ways to correct the microbiota to influence immune system disorders and other stress-induced reactions.
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