The gut microbiome and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

The microbiome can be defined as the sum of the microbial and host’s genome. Recent information regarding this complex organ suggests that in animal models of multiple sclerosis (MS), the composition of the gut microbiome can be altered, giving rise to both the effector and regulatory phases of central nervous system (CNS) demyelination. Experimental findings during the past decade in animal models of MS have provided clear evidence for the significant role of gut microbes in both the effector and regulatory phase of this condition. There is mounting evidence in preliminary human studies suggesting that a dysbiotic MS gut microbiome could affect disease progression. We propose considering the gut microbiome as a key organ for the regulation of tolerance mechanisms and speculate that the gut microbiome is the major environmental risk factor for CNS demyelinating disease. Accordingly, we hypothesize that intervention of the gut microbiome could result in safer novel therapeutic strategies to treat MS.