Lactibiane iki treatment increases regulatory T cell and improves experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis outcome

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating and degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS development depends on genetic and environmental factors. Thus, genetically predisposed individuals are thought to develop MS after exposure to different environmental factors. Recently, the commensal microbiota has emerged as a novel environmental risk factor primarily as a result of data from research in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models1. Experimental data support the idea that some bacterial strains could have a beneficial impact on EAE development. Thus, microbiota modulation by probiotics is being developed as the primary EAE therapeutic strategy involving the gut microbiota2. Lactibiane iki is a commercial multispecies probiotic composed by Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus salivarius and bifidobacterium lactis. Two of its three bacterial strains have previously proved their in vitro immunomodulatory properties by stimulating IL-10 cytokine expression3. Likewise, they have proved efficacy in another autoimmunity disease such as experimental colitis3. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of the treatment with Lactibiane iki on the clinical outcome of EAE and its mechanisms of action.