Mucosal Immunity and Autoimmune Diseases: New Perspectives From Mechanisms to Treatment

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) impose a significant and growing burden on global health. Emerging studies indicate that dysregulation of the mucosal immunity is not merely a consequence of disease progression but often represents a critical sentinel event that triggers autoimmune responses. This review explores a paradigm shift in the understanding of ADs pathogenesis, moving away from an exclusive emphasis on systemic immune imbalance towards a perspective centered on mucosal immune abnormalities characterized by mucosal barrier dysfunction and microbiota dysbiosis. We synthesize the principal mechanisms through which mucosal immunity contributes to the onset and progression of ADs and critically evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies. These insights offer new opportunities for precision medicine approaches that intervene at the mucosal origins of ADs.