V4 of the 16S rRNA gene Targeted Locus (Loci). mouse gut metagenome

By using a murine model, we show that host microbiota is altered in autoimmune lupus. We demonstrate that the abundance of gut-colonizing Lactobacilli positively correlates with improved symptoms in mice with lupus. We also show that the depletion of Lactobacilli in young, lupus-prone females can be restored by retinoic acid as a dietary intervention.