Association between ustekinumab therapy and changes in specific anti-microbial response, serum biomarkers, and microbiota composition in patients with IBD: A pilot study

PLoS One. 2022 Dec 30;17(12):e0277576. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277576. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Background: Ustekinumab, is a new therapy for patients with IBD, especially for patients suffering from Crohn's disease (CD) who did not respond to anti-TNF treatment. To shed light on the longitudinal effect of ustekinumab on the immune system, we investigated the effect on skin and gut microbiota composition, specific immune response to commensals, and various serum biomarkers.

Methodology/principal findings: We recruited 11 patients with IBD who were monitored over 40 weeks of ustekinumab therapy and 39 healthy controls (HC). We found differences in the concentrations of serum levels of osteoprotegerin, TGF-β1, IL-33, and serum IgM antibodies against Lactobacillus plantarum between patients with IBD and HC. The levels of these biomarkers did not change in response to ustekinumab treatment or with disease improvement during the 40 weeks of observation. Additionally, we identified differences in stool abundance of uncultured Subdoligranulum, Faecalibacterium, and Bacteroides between patients with IBD and HC.

Conclusion/significance: In this preliminary study, we provide a unique overview of the longitudinal monitoring of fecal and skin microbial profiles as well as various serum biomarkers and humoral and cellular response to gut commensals in a small cohort of patients with IBD on ustekinumab therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Crohn Disease* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Microbiota*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Ustekinumab / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Ustekinumab
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • Biomarkers

Grants and funding

This research was funded by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, grant number NV18-09-00493 to Jana tresnak Hercogova and Zuzana Jiraskova Zakostelska, grant number NV18-05-00394 to Miloslav Kverka and by Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, Institutional Research Concept RVO: 61388971. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.