Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Recent research has focused on the gut microbiota’s role in MS, yet limited studies have examined the fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in this context.MethodsIn this stud...

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Main Authors: Ane Otaegui-Chivite, Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua, Laura Martins-Almeida, Ainhoa Alberro, Leire Romarate, Idoia Mendiburu, Amaya Álvarez de Arcaya, Maialen Arruti, Tamara Castillo-Triviño, David Otaegui, Laura Moles
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1625794/full
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author Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Laura Martins-Almeida
Laura Martins-Almeida
Ainhoa Alberro
Ainhoa Alberro
Leire Romarate
Idoia Mendiburu
Idoia Mendiburu
Amaya Álvarez de Arcaya
Maialen Arruti
Maialen Arruti
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
David Otaegui
David Otaegui
Laura Moles
Laura Moles
author_facet Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Laura Martins-Almeida
Laura Martins-Almeida
Ainhoa Alberro
Ainhoa Alberro
Leire Romarate
Idoia Mendiburu
Idoia Mendiburu
Amaya Álvarez de Arcaya
Maialen Arruti
Maialen Arruti
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
David Otaegui
David Otaegui
Laura Moles
Laura Moles
author_sort Ane Otaegui-Chivite
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Recent research has focused on the gut microbiota’s role in MS, yet limited studies have examined the fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in this context.MethodsIn this study, we characterized the gut mycobiota of individuals with MS from the Basque Country, identifying specific fungal taxa associated with MS risk factors, clinical severity, and dietary patterns.ResultsOur results revealed higher fungal diversity and richness in MS patients compared to controls, with significant enrichment of certain genera, including Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, and Malassezia. Malassezia demonstrated a strong association with increased disability, aligning with its previous identification in neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, we found that the presence of the MS-associated allele HLA-DRB1*1501 significantly influenced mycobiota composition and correlated with disability metrics. Additionally, we observed a complex interplay between plasma biomarkers (chitotriosidase and calprotectin) and specific fungal groups, with disease-specific correlations indicating potential interactions between the immune response and gut fungi. Notably, dietary fats showed a greater impact on mycobiota composition in MS patients than in controls, highlighting altered lipid metabolism in MS.ConclusionThese findings provide new insights into the fungal component of the gut microbiota in MS and underscore its potential role in disease pathogenesis and progression. Our work suggests that fungal biomarkers, together with genetic and dietary factors, may help refine our understanding of MS and support the development of mycobiota-targeted therapies.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Frontiers in Immunology
spelling doaj-art-0bd1f8dcaa9a4232b91770f5d9505fa72025-08-20T03:41:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-07-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.16257941625794Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progressionAne Otaegui-Chivite0Ane Otaegui-Chivite1Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua2Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua3Laura Martins-Almeida4Laura Martins-Almeida5Ainhoa Alberro6Ainhoa Alberro7Leire Romarate8Idoia Mendiburu9Idoia Mendiburu10Amaya Álvarez de Arcaya11Maialen Arruti12Maialen Arruti13Tamara Castillo-Triviño14Tamara Castillo-Triviño15Tamara Castillo-Triviño16David Otaegui17David Otaegui18Laura Moles19Laura Moles20Group of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainNeurology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, San Sebastián, SpainNeurology Department, Hospital Universitario Araba, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Vitoria, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainNeurology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, San Sebastián, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainNeurology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, San Sebastián, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainGroup of Neuroimmunilogy, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute, San Sebastián, SpainCenter for Biomedical Research Network in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBER-CIBERNED-ISCIII), Madrid, SpainBackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex immune-mediated disorder influenced by genetic, environmental, and microbial factors. Recent research has focused on the gut microbiota’s role in MS, yet limited studies have examined the fungal microbiota (mycobiota) in this context.MethodsIn this study, we characterized the gut mycobiota of individuals with MS from the Basque Country, identifying specific fungal taxa associated with MS risk factors, clinical severity, and dietary patterns.ResultsOur results revealed higher fungal diversity and richness in MS patients compared to controls, with significant enrichment of certain genera, including Saccharomyces, Torulaspora, and Malassezia. Malassezia demonstrated a strong association with increased disability, aligning with its previous identification in neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, we found that the presence of the MS-associated allele HLA-DRB1*1501 significantly influenced mycobiota composition and correlated with disability metrics. Additionally, we observed a complex interplay between plasma biomarkers (chitotriosidase and calprotectin) and specific fungal groups, with disease-specific correlations indicating potential interactions between the immune response and gut fungi. Notably, dietary fats showed a greater impact on mycobiota composition in MS patients than in controls, highlighting altered lipid metabolism in MS.ConclusionThese findings provide new insights into the fungal component of the gut microbiota in MS and underscore its potential role in disease pathogenesis and progression. Our work suggests that fungal biomarkers, together with genetic and dietary factors, may help refine our understanding of MS and support the development of mycobiota-targeted therapies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1625794/fullmycobiomemultiple sclerosischitotriosidasecalprotectinHLA-DRB1*1501
spellingShingle Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Ane Otaegui-Chivite
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Miriam Gorostidi-Aicua
Laura Martins-Almeida
Laura Martins-Almeida
Ainhoa Alberro
Ainhoa Alberro
Leire Romarate
Idoia Mendiburu
Idoia Mendiburu
Amaya Álvarez de Arcaya
Maialen Arruti
Maialen Arruti
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
Tamara Castillo-Triviño
David Otaegui
David Otaegui
Laura Moles
Laura Moles
Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
Frontiers in Immunology
mycobiome
multiple sclerosis
chitotriosidase
calprotectin
HLA-DRB1*1501
title Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
title_full Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
title_fullStr Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
title_short Exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis: its influence on disease development and progression
title_sort exploring the mycobiota in multiple sclerosis its influence on disease development and progression
topic mycobiome
multiple sclerosis
chitotriosidase
calprotectin
HLA-DRB1*1501
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1625794/full
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