Intestinal Mucosal Immunity Caused Autoimmune Diseases

Abstract

Autoimmune diseases are a group of chronic inflammatory disorders caused by the imbalance of immune homeostasis and abnormal production of autoantibodies. The etiology of autoimmune diseases involves various factors such as genetic and environmental factors, and the exact pathogenesis remains unclear. The intestinal mucosal immunity including the intestinal epithelial barrier, mucosal immune cells, and innate immune cells cooperatively maintains intestinal immunity against invading pathogens. It has been demonstrated that intestinal mucosal immunity participates in the development of various autoimmune diseases. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota and their metabolite alterations and immune response mediated by intestinal immune cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus through multiple mechanisms. When the intestinal mucosal epithelium is damaged, intestinal flora can penetrate the barriers and enter the lamina propria, causing abnormal immune response and inducing the development of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Targeting the gut mucosal immune system holds promise for treating autoimmune diseases; therefore, it is necessary to review the role of the gut mucosal immune system in autoimmune diseases and provide guidance for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.