Treating RA in mice

[ThinkGutBacteria]

In today's news we learn that Harvard scientists prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis in mice by stimulating the growth of a certain kind of regulatory T cell (Treg) called CD8+ Treg. They do this in either of two ways: by directly injecting the cells into the mouse or by feeding it bits that stimulate the mouse to make its own CD8+ Treg. Either method worked especially well when Tregs were on the scene at the same time the disease was in flare, so to speak.

 

As it turns out, two kinds of probiotic Lactobacilli induce the same CD8+ Treg growth in mice. L. paracasei BB5 and L. rhamnosus BB1. They worked best when taken together (not all probiotics do, some even work against each other). I'm going to do some more digging into which species have this function and see if I can uncover any commercially available. Most of the probiotics we buy are anyone's guess as to whether they dampen or promote autoimmune-based inflammation. The fact that once common now rare species of lactobacilli can dampen the immune response is yet more evidence for the hygiene hypothesis.

 

http://www.dana-farber.org/Newsroom/News-Releases/New-strategy-prevents-rheumatoid-arthritis-in-mice.aspx

 

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576912003177