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The role of the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in neuroinflammation
Author(s) -
Haase Stefanie,
Wilck Nicola,
Haghikia Aiden,
Gold Ralf,
Mueller Dominik N.,
Linker Ralf A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
european journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.272
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1521-4141
pISSN - 0014-2980
DOI - 10.1002/eji.201847807
Subject(s) - dysbiosis , biology , gut flora , neuroinflammation , experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , immune system , gut–brain axis , immunology , multiple sclerosis , microbiome , disease , microbiology and biotechnology , bioinformatics , inflammation , medicine
Abstract Recent literature indicates a potential importance of the gut microbiota for immune‐mediated diseases. For instance, decreased diversity of commensals or an outgrowth of some bacterial strains, referred to as gut dysbiosis, was recently linked to hypertension, colitis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). Studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as pivotal animal model of MS revealed a potential importance of microbial metabolites, including short‐chain fatty acids or tryptophan metabolites. Both metabolites may influence the disease by modulation of the immune system, mainly by inducing Treg. These studies prompted researchers to investigate the contribution of the gut microbiota and microbial metabolites in the pathogenesis of MS. This review summarizes recent findings on the gut microbiota in MS patients and discusses the potential mechanisms how microbial metabolites may affect neuroinflammation. Many of these studies have been performed in the EAE model and were later reversely translated to humans. We also give a short summary on dietary high‐salt effects on microbiota components and discuss the potential relevance of high‐salt as a risk factor in MS.