Does the microbiota play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases?

Mairi H. McLean (Lead / Corresponding author), Dario Dieguez, Lindsey M. Miller, Howard A. Young

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    179 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The microbiota of the human metaorganism is not a mere bystander. These microbes have coevolved with us and are pivotal to normal development and homoeostasis. Dysbiosis of the GI microbiota is associated with many disease susceptibilities, including obesity, malignancy, liver disease and GI pathology such as IBD. It is clear that there is direct and indirect crosstalk between this microbial community and host immune response. However, the precise mechanism of this microbial influence in disease pathogenesis remains elusive and is now a major research focus. There is emerging literature on the role of the microbiota in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, with clear and increasing evidence that changes in the microbiota are associated with some of these diseases. Examples include type 1 diabetes, coeliac disease and rheumatoid arthritis, and these contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Understanding the role of the microbiota in autoimmune diseases may offer novel insight into factors that initiate and drive disease progression, stratify patient risk for complications and ultimately deliver new therapeutic strategies. This review summarises the current status on the role of the microbiota in autoimmune diseases.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)332-341
    Number of pages10
    JournalGut
    Volume64
    Issue number2
    Early online date21 Nov 2014
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Feb 2015

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Gastroenterology

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