@Article{Meyer2020, Title = {Propionate supplementation promotes the expansion of peripheral regulatory T-Cells in patients with end-stage renal disease}, Author = {Meyer, Fabian and Seibert, Felix S. and Nienen, Mikalai and Welzel, Marius and Beisser, Daniela and Bauer, Frederic and Rohn, Benjamin and Westhoff, Timm H. and Stervbo, Ulrik and Babel, Nina}, Journal = {Journal of Nephrology}, Year = {2020}, Month = {Mar}, Abstract = {Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) suffer from a progressively increasing low-grade systemic inflammation, which is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an important role in regulation of the inflammatory process. Previously, it has been demonstrated that short-chain fatty acids reduce inflammation in the central nervous system in a murine model of multiple sclerosis through an increase in tissue infiltrating Tregs. Here, we evaluated the effect of the short-chain fatty acid propionate on the chronic inflammatory state and T-cell composition in ESRD patients. Analyzing ESRD patients and healthy blood donors before, during, and 60?days after the propionate supplementation by multiparametric flow cytometry we observed a gradual and significant expansion in the frequencies of CD25highCD127- Tregs in both groups. Phenotypic characterization suggests that polarization of na{\"i}ve T cells towards Tregs is responsible for the observed expansion. In line with this, we observed a significant reduction of inflammatory marker CRP under propionate supplementation. Of interest, the observed anti-inflammatory surroundings did not affect the protective pathogen-specific immunity as demonstrated by the stable frequencies of effector/memory T cells specific for tetanus/diphtheria recall antigens. Collectively, our data suggest that dietary supplements with propionate have a beneficial effect on the elevated systemic inflammation of ESRD patients. The effect can be achieved through an expansion of circulating Tregs without affecting the protective pathogen-reactive immunity.}, Doi = {10.1007/s40620-019-00694-z}, ISSN = {1724-6059}, Url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-019-00694-z} }