New Pathophysiology Insight of Gut Microbiota’s Influence on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Brief Review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a commonly found chronic autoimmune disease that affects multiple organs and systems. According to a new study, commensal gut microbiota promotes chronic autoimmunity in SLE patients with a lower Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. It has to do with the activation of inflammatory mediators such as toll-like receptors (TLRs), NOD-like receptors, adaptive immune response, and antimicrobial peptides mucins, defensins, and immunoglobulin A production. Aside from that, a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio may cause T helper cells and regulatory T cells to become activated, both of which are linked to autoimmune activation in SLE. Theoretically, the immunomodulatory influence of food components in immune system activation has been the focus of nutrition for SLE patients, but probiotics and prebiotics have also been shown to dramatically enhance gut microbiota associated to SLE.