Targeting the gut to treat multiple sclerosis
Laura Ghezzi,1,2 Claudia Cantoni,1 Gabriela V. Pinget,3 Yanjiao Zhou,4 and Laura Piccio1,5,6
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
2University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
5Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
6Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Address correspondence to: Laura Piccio, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia. Phone: 61.2.93510717; Email: laura.piccio@sydney.edu.au.
Find articles by
Ghezzi, L.
in:
JCI
|
PubMed
|
Google Scholar
|
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
2University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
5Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
6Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Address correspondence to: Laura Piccio, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia. Phone: 61.2.93510717; Email: laura.piccio@sydney.edu.au.
Find articles by
Cantoni, C.
in:
JCI
|
PubMed
|
Google Scholar
|
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
2University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
5Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
6Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Address correspondence to: Laura Piccio, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia. Phone: 61.2.93510717; Email: laura.piccio@sydney.edu.au.
Find articles by
Pinget, G.
in:
JCI
|
PubMed
|
Google Scholar
|
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
2University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
5Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
6Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Address correspondence to: Laura Piccio, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia. Phone: 61.2.93510717; Email: laura.piccio@sydney.edu.au.
Find articles by Zhou, Y. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar
1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
2University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
3Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
4Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.
5Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
6Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
Address correspondence to: Laura Piccio, Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett St., Camperdown, New South Wales 2050, Australia. Phone: 61.2.93510717; Email: laura.piccio@sydney.edu.au.
Find articles by
Piccio, L.
in:
JCI
|
PubMed
|
Google Scholar
|
Published July 1, 2021 - More info
J Clin Invest. 2021;131(13):e143774. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI143774.
© 2021 American Society for Clinical Investigation
The gut-brain axis (GBA) refers to the complex interactions between the gut microbiota and the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems, together linking brain and gut functions. Perturbations of the GBA have been reported in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), suggesting a possible role in disease pathogenesis and making it a potential therapeutic target. While research in the area is still in its infancy, a number of studies revealed that pwMS are more likely to exhibit altered microbiota, altered levels of short chain fatty acids and secondary bile products, and increased intestinal permeability. However, specific microbes and metabolites identified across studies and cohorts vary greatly. Small clinical and preclinical trials in pwMS and mouse models, in which microbial composition was manipulated through the use of antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and probiotic supplements, have provided promising outcomes in preventing CNS inflammation. However, results are not always consistent, and large-scale randomized controlled trials are lacking. Herein, we give an overview of how the GBA could contribute to MS pathogenesis, examine the different approaches tested to modulate the GBA, and discuss how they may impact neuroinflammation and demyelination in the CNS.
- Purchase this article
- $10
- Purchasing this article will give you full access for the calendar year.
- Purchase Site Pass
- $25
- This will give you access to every article on the site for 24 hours.
- Online subscription
- $95
- Individual online subscriptions give you full online access for the calendar year.
- Individual online subscriptions ordered from September 1st on will receive access for the remainder of current year as well as for the full following year subscription term.
- JCI This Month subscription
- $135
- JCI This Month is a 16- to 20-page overview of the articles published each month
- Subscribing to JCI This Month also gives subscribers full online access for the calendar year.
- *Price outside U.S. and Canada: $195.
Copyright © 2021 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)