The influence of gut-derived CD39 regulatory T cells in CNS demyelinating disease

Abstract

There is considerable interest in trying to understand the importance of the gut microbiome in human diseases. The association between dysbiosis, an altered microbial composition, as related to human disease is being explored in the context of different autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies suggest that MS affects the composition of the gut microbiota by altering the relative abundances of specific bacteria and archaea species. Remarkably, some of the bacterial species shown reduced in the gut of MS patients are known to promote immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). In MS, the function of a phenotype of Tregs that express CD39, an ectoenzyme involved in the catabolism of adenosine triphosphate as immunomodulatory cells, appears to be reduced. In this review, we discuss the involvement of the gut microbiota in the regulation of experimental models of central nervous system inflammatory demyelination and review the evidence that link the gut microbiome with MS. Further, we hypothesize that the gut microbiome is an essential organ for the control of tolerance in MS patients and a potential source for safer novel therapeutics.

Conflict of interest statement

All authors have read the journal’s policy on conflicts of interest. Javier Ochoa-Repáraz Ph.D, reports grants from Genzyme, personal remuneration from Symbiotix Biotherapies, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Lloyd H Kasper MD, reports grants from Genzyme, Teva and Symbiotix Biotherapies, personal remuneration from TEVA Neuroscience and Genzyme that are outside the submitted work.

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