About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be Treated by Intestinal Bacteria

by Rajashri on October 17, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Font : A-A+

 Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be Treated by Intestinal Bacteria

Specific types of bacteria in the intestine trigger the production of pro-inflammatory immune cells, according to researchers from NYU Langone Medical Centre. This finding can lead to new therapies for inflammatory bowel disease.

In the study conducted using mouse model, the researchers found that ytophaga-flavobacter-bacteroidetes (CFB) bacteria were associated with the creation of Th17 cells.

Advertisement

The bacteria play a crucial role in digestion and protect against pathogens by outcompeting harmful bacteria.

"It's not the amount of microbial flora but the kind of microbial flora that seems to count," said Dr. Dan Littman, NYU School of Medicine.

He said that identifying the specific species of bacteria that influence the balance of inflammatory cells, could lead to more sophisticated treatments that fine-tune bacteria in the intestine and, in turn, dampen the production of inflammatory cells.
Advertisement

During the study, Littman's team observed that newborn mice that remain isolated from bacteria never generate any of these cells. They begin to generate the cells only after they begin to eat food and ingest bacteria.

These observations suggested that the introduction of bacteria in the gut is associated with the creation of Th17 cells.

For the study, the team gave normal, bacteria-filled mice antibiotics that selectively killed some of the bacteria in their small intestine. Some of these antibiotics also depleted their Th17 cells, indicating for the first time a causal link between specific bacteria and the generation of inflammatory cells.

They found a colony of mice that have intestinal bacteria but do not have Th17 cells. It had different bacteria in their guts than other colonies.

By comparing the intestinal bacteria in mice, the team discovered that cytophaga-flavobacter-bacteroidetes (CFB) bacteria were associated with the creation of Th17 cells.

"There is more and more evidence that gut flora have a tremendously important influence on human health," said Yasmine Belkaid, Ph.D., chief of the mucosal immunology unit in the laboratory of parasitic diseases at the National Institutes of Health

"If some set of microbes induces a specific immune response, this points to a way to manipulate the immune system," says Dr. Belkaid.

This new study is the first report that has associated a defined set of gut flora with the induction of specific immune cells," she added.

The study is published in the October 16 issue of the journal Cell Host and Microbe.

Source: ANI
RAS/SK
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Research News

 New Insights into How the Immune System Responds to Spinal-Cord Injuries
New study findings delineate how aging affects the immune response following Spinal cord injury (SCI) and highlight the participation of the spinal cord meninges in repair.
Nearsightedness: Atropine Eye Drops may Slow Progression in Kids
A recent clinical trial suggests that the first medication therapy to reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children could be on the way.
Autoimmune Diseases Affect One in Ten: Study
Autoimmune disorders were found to be linked to Sjogren's, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis.
Remarkable Journey of Transforming Lives With Brain Pacemaker
Successful brain pacemaker implantation has helped a 51year old Parkinson's disease patient to revitalize her quality of life.
What Are the Effects of Healthy Lifestyle on Osteoarthritis?
Recent recommendations on lifestyle behaviors to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases revealed.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Inflammatory Bowel Disease may be Treated by Intestinal Bacteria Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests