In a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model, infant-derived Veillonella ratti MHL0042 reshaped gut microbiota, reduced CD4+ IFN-gamma T cells and lowered activated spinal-cord microglia. The proposed mechanism involves depletion of pldA-containing bacteria and increased dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) in the gut, circulation and central nervous system. Exogenous DOPE reproduced attenuation of disease and microglial activation.
Key findings
- V. ratti reduced inflammation and EAE severity in mice. • Microbiome changes were linked to systemic and CNS DOPE increases. • Exogenous DOPE reproduced reduced microglial activation.
Why this matters globally
The work maps a microbiome-metabolite-neuroimmune pathway that could inspire MS therapies, while remaining far from human application.
Thai researcher contribution
A Burapha University-affiliated researcher contributes to microbiome and neuroimmunology research.
Limitations to consider
EAE is not human MS; strain safety, durability, dose and person-to-person microbiome variation remain unresolved.