Intestinal Plasma Cells Could Reduce Brain Inflammation Caused By Multiple Sclerosis

Is there an uncanny connection between the gut and our brain? That's probably a figment of my imagination but it seems that medical research has been making great strides in understanding how different cells in our body could work together to fight off diseases found in other parts. In this case, cells in the gut could produce antibodies that combat brain inflammation.

An incredible new study from researchers at the University of Toronto and UC San Francisco has provided a novel insight into the gut-brain connection, revealing the intestine may be the source of immune cells found to reduce brain inflammation in multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferers.

The new study revealed that plasma cells residing in the intestine can produce antibodies known as Immunoglobulin A (IgA). It was established that these IgA plasma cells have the ability to move from the intestine into the central nervous system, and reduce neuroinflammation associated with MS flare-ups.

This is an exciting new avenue for medicine and it might stave off the drastic, agonizing effects of people suffering from these degenerative neurological diseases.