Cited by 1,323Multiple Sclerosis Research StudiesGut microbiota and healthT-cell and B-cell Immunology

Proinflammatory T-cell responses to gut microbiota promote experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

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Lee, Yun Kyung, Menezes, Juscilene S., Umesaki, Yoshinori, Mazmanian, Sarkis K.·2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Although the effects of commensal bacteria on intestinal immune development seem to be profound, it remains speculative whether the gut microbiota influences extraintestinal biological functions. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a devastating autoimmune disease leading to progressive deterioration of neurological function. Although the cause of MS is unknown, microorganisms seem to be important for the onset and/or progression of disease. However, it is unclear how microbial colonization, either symbiotic or infectious, affects autoimmunity. Herein, we investigate a role for the microbiota during the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for MS. Mice maintained under germ-free conditions develop significantly attenuated EAE compared with conventionally colonized mice. Germ-free animals, induced for EAE, produce lower levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17A in both the intestine and spinal cord but display a reciprocal increase in CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mechanistically, we show that gut dendritic cells from germ-free animals are reduced in the ability to stimulate proinflammatory T cell responses. Intestinal colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) is known to promote IL-17 production in the gut; here, we show that SFBs also induced IL-17A-producing CD4(+) T cells (Th17) in the CNS. Remarkably, germ-free animals harboring SFBs alone developed EAE, showing that gut bacteria can affect neurologic inflammation. These findings reveal that the intestinal microbiota profoundly impacts the balance between pro- and antiinflammatory immune responses during EAE and suggest that modulation of gut bacteria may provide therapeutic targets for extraintestinal inflammatory diseases such as MS.

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Authors
Lee, Y. K., Menezes, J. S., Umesaki, Y., & Mazmanian, S. K.
Affiliations
  • California Institute of Technology (US)
  • Yakult Central Institute (JP)
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2010-07-26
Volume
108
Issue
supplement_1
Pages
4615-4622
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2121968767
Cited by
1,323
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 38 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 80 · 2023: 81 · 2022: 84 · 2021: 118 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 102 · 2018: 101 · 2017: 116 · 2016: 100 · 2015: 94 · 2014: 85 · 2013: 68 · 2012: 48
FWCI
37.03
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Weston Havens Foundation
  • Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › T-cell and B-cell Immunology
Keywords
gut microbiota, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, germ-free mice, segmented filamentous bacteria, regulatory T cells, Th17 cells, IL-17A, interferon-gamma, dendritic cells, neuroinflammation, commensal bacteria, autoimmunity
MeSH terms
Animals, Dendritic Cells, Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Germ-Free Life, Interferon-gamma, Intestinal Mucosa, Intestines, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Spinal Cord, Interleukin-17, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory, Mice, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Th17 Cells

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