0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

In This Article

A new technique to study disease-causing gut microbes 
444

A new technique to study disease-causing gut microbes 

The non-invasive method can help scientists study which gut microbes may be causing inflammatory diseases and how to stop them 
Illustration of bacteria lining the gut
Representational image | Shutterstock

US researchers have developed a non-invasive method to identify bacteria that cause inflammation when they cross the gut barrier, potentially opening the door for new ways to treat diseases like obesity, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer, and some neurological conditions. 

Investigators from Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US studied antibodies present in the body to identify which specific gut microbes may have activated the immune system in a particular disease. They published their findings in the peer-reviewed journal Science Translation Medicine in August. 

“Microbes crossing the gut barrier frequently generate inflammation and activation of the immune system, which are fundamental hallmarks of many inflammatory disorders,” Vujkovic-Cvijin, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Gastroenterology at Cedars-Sinai and one of the authors of the study, said in a statement. 

“By understanding which specific microbes are crossing the gut and causing inflammation in a disease, we then can devise methods to get rid of those microbes to stop the disease,” he added. 

To do this, the researchers utilised a high throughput sequencing technique to calculate the IgG score – a measure of the quantity of antibodies present against a gut microbe strain. Moreover, this allowed them to study previous immune responses of the body towards this inflammation and not just ongoing inflammation. 

Antibodies are molecules produced by the immune system that combine with bacteria, viruses, and other foreign objects to neutralise them. IgG or ‘Immunoglobulin G’ is a type of antibody that accounts for more than 75% of all antibodies produced by our immune cells. 

Understanding Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

To validate this method, the researchers applied the technique to study individuals with IBD and found several bacteria such as Collinsella, Bifidobacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae were targeted by the immune system. This was not the case in healthy control subjects. 

They built a database containing the information of different gut microbiota present in human guts and then used the sequencing technique to identify the bacteria species that caused increased IgG levels. 

“Many of the bacteria we identified haven’t been thought of as potential causative drivers of this disease,” Vujkovic-Cvijin said. He added that the microbial activity may be relevant to IBD’s progression, possibly yielding a therapeutic target for the disease. 

Also read: How faecal transplants can usher in a new era for IBD treatment 

Suzanne Devkota, a co-author of the study said that the effects of bacteria migrating out of the gut into other tissues needed to be better understood, prompting the development of a non-invasive tool to do this. 

The team plans to continue its study to understand the mechanism in which the identified gut bacteria cause inflammation and contribute to the progression of IBD. 

Share Your Experience/Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Summit Registration

NOTE: The summit will be held at NIMHANS Convention Centre, Bengaluru.

Wellness Registration Form

-
-
-
Total Amount INR 3000
Trending

Articles

Article
Some couples consciously decide not to have children despite familial and social expectations, wanting to make the best of their relationship. Children should be had for their own sake, says psychotherapist Tasneem Nakhoda
Article
Insufficient consumption of heart-healthy foods can affect cardiovascular health. Experts discuss beneficial dietary choices
Article
Cycling and walking are both great cardiovascular activities that aid weight loss and keep various health conditions away. Pick one that suits your fitness goals and physical condition, say experts
Article
The risk of heart attacks and strokes for middle-aged, overweight people with high blood pressure is 35 percent higher compared to those with a healthy body weight 
Article
Summer drinks, though hydrating, can have excess sugar. Nutritionists suggest a few alternatives to keep the body temperature and sugar levels down
Article
Packed with protein, this recipe will help in weight management by keeping you full for a long time
Trending

Articles

Article
Some couples consciously decide not to have children despite familial and social expectations, wanting to make the best of their relationship. Children should be had for their own sake, says psychotherapist Tasneem Nakhoda
Article
Insufficient consumption of heart-healthy foods can affect cardiovascular health. Experts discuss beneficial dietary choices
Article
Cycling and walking are both great cardiovascular activities that aid weight loss and keep various health conditions away. Pick one that suits your fitness goals and physical condition, say experts

0

0

0

Web Stories 

0

0

0

0

0

0

Opt-in To Our Daily Healthzine

A potion of health & wellness delivered daily to your inbox

Personal stories and insights from doctors, plus practical tips on improving your happiness quotient

Opt-in To Our Daily Healthzine

A potion of health & wellness delivered daily to your inbox

Personal stories and insights from doctors, plus practical tips on improving your happiness quotient
We use cookies to customize your user experience, view our policy here

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.

The Happiest Health team will reach out to you at the earliest