The Antibody-Microbiota Interface in Autoimmune Diseases.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• The human gut microbiome plays a crucial role in shaping immune responses.
• Secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is a key regulator of intestinal homeostasis.
• Emerging evidence highlights roles for secretory IgM and IgG in host-microbiota interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the antibody-microbiota interface, focusing on how microbiota composition and diet influence sIgA.
• To explore alterations in antibody-microbiota interactions in autoimmune diseases.
• To discuss the potential of targeting these interactions for therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review integrating murine and human studies.
• Analysis of factors influencing the gut microbiota ecosystem.
• Examination of antibody-microbiota interactions in autoimmune disease contexts.

Main Results:

• Microbiota and diet composition shape sIgA repertoire and binding capacity.
• Antibody-microbiota interactions are dysregulated in autoimmune diseases.
• Myasthenia gravis (MG) patients exhibit a unique microbial signature.

Conclusions:

• Understanding antibody-microbiota interactions is vital for identifying microbial drivers of autoimmune diseases.
• Targeting these interactions may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for conditions like MG.
• Mechanisms such as molecular mimicry and epitope spreading warrant investigation in MG pathogenesis.