Microbiomic and Posttranslational Modifications as Preludes to Autoimmune Diseases

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Autoimmunity research
• Infectious disease

Background:

• Current autoimmunity treatments focus on adaptive immunity.
• Infection and inflammation activate myeloid cells, releasing enzymes.
• These enzymes cleave host proteins into peptides, which can become autoantigens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose that post-translational modifications generate auto-reactive peptides.
• To explore the role of microbial enzymes in autoantigen generation.
• To link innate immune responses and environmental factors to autoimmunity.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on autoimmunity, inflammation, and microbial activity.
• Analysis of enzymatic processes involved in protein modification.
• Hypothesizing mechanisms of autoantigen generation.

Main Results:

• Enzymatic cleavage of host proteins produces excess peptides.
• Post-translational modifications can create autoantigens from these peptides.
• Microbial enzymes may contribute to autoantigen formation, linking microbiota to autoimmunity.

Conclusions:

• Autoantigen generation may be initiated by innate immune responses and environmental factors.
• Understanding the innate prelude phase offers novel therapeutic targets for autoimmunity.
• Exploring the interplay between microbiota and autoimmunity is crucial for developing broadly applicable therapies.