Lupus and inflammatory bowel disease share a common set of microbiome features distinct from other autoimmune disorders.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to elucidate the microbial signatures associated with autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), compared with colorectal cancer (CRC), to identify unique biomarkers and shared microbial mechanisms that could inform specific treatment protocols.

METHODS: We analysed metagenomic datasets from patient cohorts with six autoimmune conditions-SLE, IBD, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Graves' disease and ankylosing spondylitis-contrasting these with CRC metagenomes to delineate disease-specific microbial profiles. The study focused on identifying predictive biomarkers from species profiles and functional genes, integrating protein-protein interaction analyses to explore effector-like proteins and their targets in key signalling pathways.

RESULTS: Distinct microbial signatures were identified across autoimmune disorders, with notable overlaps between SLE and IBD, suggesting shared microbial underpinnings. Significant predictive biomarkers highlighted the diverse microbial influences across these conditions. Protein-protein interaction analyses revealed interactions targeting glucocorticoid signalling, antigen presentation and interleukin-12 signalling pathways, offering insights into possible common disease mechanisms. Experimental validation confirmed interactions between the host protein glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and specific gut bacteria-derived proteins, which may have therapeutic implications for inflammatory disorders like SLE and IBD.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the gut microbiome's critical role in autoimmune diseases, offering insights into shared and distinct microbial signatures. The study highlights the potential importance of microbial biomarkers in understanding disease mechanisms and guiding treatment strategies, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches based on microbial profiles.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02394964.