Commensal microbiota influence systemic autoimmune responses

Jens T Van Praet, Erin Donovan, Inge Vanassche, Michael B Drennan, Fien Windels, Amélie Dendooven, Liesbeth Allais, Claude A Cuvelier, Fons van de Loo, Paula S Norris, Andrey A Kruglov, Sergei A Nedospasov, Sylvie Rabot, Raul Tito, Jeroen Raes, Valerie Gaboriau-Routhiau, Nadine Cerf-Bensussan, Tom Van de Wiele, Gérard Eberl, Carl F WareDirk Elewaut

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Antinuclear antibodies are a hallmark feature of generalized autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. However, the processes underlying the loss of tolerance against nuclear self-constituents remain largely unresolved. Using mice deficient in lymphotoxin and Hox11, we report that approximately 25% of mice lacking secondary lymphoid organs spontaneously develop specific antinuclear antibodies. Interestingly, we find this phenotype is not caused by a defect in central tolerance. Rather, cell-specific deletion and in vivo lymphotoxin blockade link these systemic autoimmune responses to the formation of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in the neonatal period of life. We further demonstrate antinuclear antibody production is influenced by the presence of commensal gut flora, in particular increased colonization with segmented filamentous bacteria, and IL-17 receptor signaling. Together, these data indicate that neonatal colonization of gut microbiota influences generalized autoimmunity in adult life.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)466-474
JournalEMBO Journal
Volume34
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • antinuclear antibodies
  • commensal microbiota
  • systemic autoimmunity

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