Intestinal Barrier Breakdown and Mucosal Microbiota Disturbance in Neuromyelitis Optical Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The present study demonstrated that the intestinal barrier was disrupted in the patients with NMOSD, accompanied by dysbiosis and inflammatory activation of the gut. The mucosal microbiota imbalance and inflammatory responses might allow pathogens to cross the damaged intestinal barrier and participate in pathological process in NMOSD. However, further study on the pathological mechanism of NMOSD underlying gut dysbiosis is warranted in the future.