The Role of Gut Microbiota in the Development of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The Human gut is heavily colonized with a bacterial population of remarkable diversity (gut microbiota). Among other functions, the gut microbiota participates in the maturation and conditioning of the local and systemic immune system. Therefore, a novel research field emerged investigating the relationship between gut microbiota composition and autoimmune responses. An increasing body of evidence is supporting the contribution of the gut microbiota in the development of extra-intestinal autoimmune diseases. The present proposed project aims at the characterization of Multiple Sclerosis patients’ gut microbiota composition using metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches. Additionally, with specific type of assays, possible molecular mimicry with bacterial proteins will be identified as well as pro or anti-inflammatory properties of the gut microbiota components. Ultimately the project’s objective is to broaden the insight about the contribution of the gut microbiota in the development of Multiple Sclerosis.