Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gut microbial dysbiosis, leaky gut, and increased transepithelial translocation of commensal bacteria have been documented in multiple sclerosis (MS). Intrathecal IgGs specific for Akkermansia muciniphila, a gut bacterium, are increased in patients with MS and associated with clinical disability. Our objective here was to explore the putative involvement of intrathecal anti-A. muciniphila IgG in MS pathogenesis by characterizing patients with different anti-A. muciniphila IgG indices. Methods: Serum and intrathecal IgG specific for A. muciniphila and other gut bacteria, as well as routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters, were measured in 61 patients with MS. Examination of these patients included immunophenotyping of CSF-infiltrating and paired circulating lymphocytes, intrathecal markers of neurodegeneration and inflammation, and a detailed characterization of demographic, clinical, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. Results: Plasma blasts (p < 0.01), B cells (p < 0.01), and Th2 cells (p < 0.01), which might be involved in antibody production, were increased in the CSF of these patients, as well as blood pro-inflammatory Th17 cells (p < 0.05). Anti-A. muciniphila IgG indices were negatively associated with blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and circulating monocytes (p < 0.001), and positively with brain lesion load (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The differences between patients with low and high anti-A. muciniphila IgG indexes regarding BBB permeability, CSF cell infiltrates, and pro-inflammatory peripheral immune cells, as well as imaging features, support a role of anti-A. muciniphila immune response in MS pathogenesis.