Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Lupus Nephritis

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease resulting in multi-organ inflammation with complex clinical manifestation including neuropsychiatric, lupus nephritis..etc. However, the actual cause of SLE is still unknown [1].

Various etiologies have been postulated which can be categorized into genetic and environmental such as age, gender, ultra-violet exposure, dietary intake, alcohol, and lifestyle behavior [2].

Lupus nephritis is one of the most severe manifestations of SLE with high mortality rate and 10% of them eventually develop end-stage renal disease within 5 years after diagnosis [3,4].

There are trillion of microbes inhabited human gut which dominated by 4 phyla; Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. In healthy human gut, 98% of gut microbiota is dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Every species of gut microbiota play their own role in modulating immune system. Many factors could alter gut communities such as infant transition, dietary habit, age, gender and antibiotic consumption [5, 6].

Firmicutes responsive in fatty acids and carbohydrates absorption whereas Bacteroidetes correspond to polysaccharides absorption [7].