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REVIEW article

Front. Immunol.
Sec. Systems Immunology
Volume 15 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1475528
This article is part of the Research Topic Immune Plasticity in Mixed Pattern Rheumatic Diseases View all articles

Gut Microbiome and Metabolomics in Systemic Sclerosis: Feature, Link and Mechanisms

Provisionally accepted
Qicen Yao Qicen Yao 1,2Wenfeng Tan Wenfeng Tan 3*Feihu Bai Feihu Bai 4*
  • 1 Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
  • 2 Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
  • 3 Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Liaoning Province, China
  • 4 Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare and highly heterogeneous chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multi-organ and tissue fibrosis, often accompanied by a poor prognosis and high mortality rates. The primary pathogenic mechanisms of SSc are considered to involve tissue fibrosis, autoimmune dysfunction, and microvascular abnormalities. Recent studies have shed light on the gut microbiota (GM) and metabolites in SSc patients, revealing their association with gastrointestinal symptoms and disease phenotypes. However, further elucidation is needed on the specific mechanisms underlying the interactions between GM, metabolites, and the immune system and their roles in the pathogenesis of SSc. This review outlines the characteristics of GM and metabolites in SSc patients, exploring their interrelationships and analyzing their correlations with the clinical phenotypes of SSc.The findings indicate that while the α-diversity of GM in SSc patients resembles that of healthy individuals, notable differences exist in the β-diversity and the abundance of specific bacterial genera, which are closely linked to gastrointestinal symptoms. Moreover, alterations in the levels of amino acids and lipid metabolites in SSc patients are prominently observed and significantly associated with clinical phenotypes. Furthermore, this review delves into the potential immunopathological mechanisms of GM and metabolites in SSc, emphasizing the critical role of interactions between GM, metabolites, and the immune system in comprehending the immunopathological processes of SSc. These insights may offer new scientific evidence for the development of future treatment strategies.

    Keywords: systemic sclerosis, Gut microbiota dysbiosis, Metabolites, Correlation analysis, Pathogenesis

    Received: 04 Aug 2024; Accepted: 14 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Yao, Tan and Bai. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Wenfeng Tan, Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 201129, Liaoning Province, China
    Feihu Bai, Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.