Aberrant gut microbiome contributes to systemic autoimmune responses in MRL/lpr mice

This study examines the gut microbiome and host response in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus using unique female mouse models (C57BL/6, MRL+/+ and MRL/lpr) at 6 and 18 weeks with varying degrees of disease progression. Fecal microbiome diversity and composition, gut oxidative stress, barrier function and inflammation, as well as systemic autoimmunity were determined. Dynamic interaction among intestinal microbiota composition, immune cell responses and autoantibody production are highly linked to renal and hepatic inflammation, eventually leading to corresponding autoimmune disease, e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune hepatitis.