Expression data from human whole blood of propionate treated MS patients

Short chain fatty acids were shown to affect regulatory immune response in context of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). Recent studies in an animal model of MS revealed significant impact of short chain fatty acid propionate (PA) on the differentiation towards regulatory Tcells (Treg). In a translational proof of concept study, PA was administered to relapse remitting MS patients. We observed an increase of Treg in peripheral blood as well as functional improvement in Treg suppressive capacity beside a decrease of proinflammatory Thelper1 and 17 cells. To investigate underlying mechanisms of the observed shift in immune cell balance, intensive transcriptomic analysis on whole blood of PA treated relapse remitting MS patients was performed. PA was supplemented on daily basis in four relapse remitting MS patients for 14 days. Blood was collected in BD PaxGene tubes for RNA isolation and subsequent microarray analysis to compare baseline and 14 days of treatment.