Anne-Katrin Probstel, MD, PhD 

Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant

University of California, San Francisco

Term:  7/1/18-6/30/21

Anne-Katrin Pröbstel earned her MD from Ludwig-Maximilians-University (Munich, Germany) and pursued a neurology residency at University Hospital Basel (Switzerland), during which she treated patients with MS. Dr. Pröbstel has received scholarships to study abroad and travel awards and is a recipient of the American Academy of Neurology International Scholarship Award.

Background

Types of immune cells called B cells play an important role in MS. There is growing awareness that the bacteria in the gut of people with MS are different from bacteria in people without MS, and that harmful bacteria found in the gut of people with MS may have detrimental effects on MS disease activity and possibly on B cell function.

Background

Types of immune cells called B cells play an important role in MS. There is growing awareness that the bacteria in the gut of people with MS are different from bacteria in people without MS, and that harmful bacteria found in the gut of people with MS may have detrimental effects on MS disease activity and possibly on B cell function.

The Study

Dr. Pröbstel and her team are investigating the role of gut bacteria in MS on B cells and inflammation. They are working to identify the gut bacteria in people with MS that may be harmful. They are transferring these harmful bacteria to mice to see if they make the MS-like disease called EAE worse. They are also testing whether eliminating these harmful bacteria improves EAE. Finally, they are determining whether these harmful bacteria are present in the blood or spinal fluid in people with MS.

The Study

Dr. Pröbstel and her team are investigating the role of gut bacteria in MS on B cells and inflammation. They are working to identify the gut bacteria in people with MS that may be harmful. They are transferring these harmful bacteria to mice to see if they make the MS-like disease called EAE worse. They are also testing whether eliminating these harmful bacteria improves EAE. Finally, they are determining whether these harmful bacteria are present in the blood or spinal fluid in people with MS.

What’s Next

Exploring the impacts of gut bacteria on MS disease initiation and activity may inform the development of probiotic strategies to treat people with MS.

What’s Next

Exploring the impacts of gut bacteria on MS disease initiation and activity may inform the development of probiotic strategies to treat people with MS.