Magnesium Increases Numbers of Foxp3+ Treg Cells and Reduces Arthritis Severity and Joint Damage in an IL-10-Dependent Manner Mediated by the Intestinal Microbiome

Authors

Teresina Laragione
Carolyn Harris
Nasim Azizgolshani
Christine Beeton
Gerold Bongers
Percio S Gulko

Publication Date

6-1-2023

Journal

EBioMedicine

DOI

10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104603

PMID

37201335

PMCID

PMC10203746

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

5-16-2023

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Mice, Animals, T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory, Magnesium, Interleukin-10, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Cytokines, Arthritis, Rheumatoid, Mice, Knockout, Th17 Cells, Forkhead Transcription Factors, Rheumatoid arthritis, High magnesium diet, Microbiome, Treg, IL-10, Inflammation, Autoimmunity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease with emerging environmental and microbiome risk factors. The western diet is typically deficient in magnesium (Mg), and there is some evidence suggesting that Mg may have anti-inflammatory properties. But the actual role of Mg supplementation in arthritis or in T cell subsets has not been explored.

METHODS: We investigated the role of a high Mg diet in two different mouse models of RA induced with the KRN serum, and collagen-induced arthritis. We also characterized the phenotypes of splenocytes, gene expression, and an extensive intestinal microbiome analyses including fecal material transplantation (FMT).

FINDINGS: The high Mg diet group was significantly protected with reduced arthritis severity and joint damage, and reduced expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα. The high Mg group also had increased numbers of Foxp3+ Treg cells and IL-10-producing T cells. The high Mg protective effect disappeared in IL-10 knockout mice. FMT from the high Mg diet mice recreated the phenotypes seen in the diet-treated mice, with reduced arthritis severity, increased Foxp3+ Treg, and increased IL-10-producing T cells. Intestinal microbiome analyses using 16S rDNA sequencing revealed diet-specific changes, including reduced levels of RA-associated Prevotella in the high Mg group, while increasing levels of Bacteroides and other bacteria associated with increased production of short-chain fatty acids. Metagenomic analyses implicated additional pathways including L-tryptophan biosynthesis and arginine deiminase.

INTERPRETATION: We describe a new role for Mg in suppressing arthritis, in expanding Foxp3+ T reg cells and in the production of IL-10, and show that these effects are mediated by the intestinal microbiome. Our discoveries suggest a novel strategy for modifying the intestinal microbiome to treat RA and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

FUNDING: None.