Treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome with Bifidobacterium infantis through regulation of T helper cells subsets

Publication date: August 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 61
Author(s): Peng Shi, Hongdang Qu, Di Nian, Yuhua Chen, Xiaolin Liu, Qiang Li, Qianqian Li, Chun Wang, Ming Ye, Bo Ma
BackgroundGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare, autoimmune-mediated disease. The use of Bifidobacterium is reportedly effective in alleviating GBS since they act by regulating T helper (Th) cells.ObjectivesIn this study, we explored the differentiation of T helper cell subsets in patients with GBS. We also evaluated the effect of GBS on Bifidobacterium levels in patients and the likely protective influence of this bacterium in alleviating the disease in an animal model.Materials and methodsWe used flow cytometry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the T cell subsets differentiation among 30 GBS patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). The concentration of Bifidobacterium was assayed by real-time PCR. Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) animal model was established to support the protective role of Bifidobacterium in GBS.ResultsThe expression of Th cells, Th2 and Th17 in the patients was significantly higher than that in the HC, while Treg cells decreased substantially. Moreover, the levels of Bifidobacterium in the GBS patients were considerably lower than those in the HC, the concentration of Bifidobacterium correlating with Th2 and Th17 subsets negatively. Treatment with Bifidobacterium significantly reduced the levels of Th2 and Th17 and promoted the levels of Treg cells.ConclusionsWe concluded from this study that Bifidobacterium alleviated GBS by regulating Th cells, although in-depth studies might be required to fully understand the mechanism of action.



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