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Altered gut microbiota in RA: implications for treatment

Darmmikrobiota und rheumatoide Arthritis: von der Pathogenese zu neuen therapeutischen Strategien

Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie volume 76, pages 451–457 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease with progressive joint disorder. The complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences is important for the development of the disease. A growing body of evidence has shed light on the association of dysbiosis of gut microbiota with RA. Certain gut microbial strains have been shown to inhibit or attenuate immune responses in RA experimental models, suggesting that specific species among intestinal commensal bacteria may play either a pathogenic or a protective role in the development of RA. Oral intake of probiotics/prebiotics can therefore represent a therapeutic approach for RA treatment. However, the relevant scientific work has only just begun, and the available data in this field remain limited. Fortunately, utilization of new sequencing technologies allows expanded research on the association of intestinal bacterial flora and human diseases to be attempted. In this review, we summarize the role of gut microbiota in RA progression and address how specific bacterial strains regulate the immune response in disease process. Probiotics/prebiotics in the treatment of RA is also discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Die rheumatoide Arthritis (RA) ist eine Autoimmunkrankheit mit progressiver Gelenkbeteiligung. Das komplexe Wechselspiel zwischen genetischen und Umwelteinflüssen ist für die Entstehung der Erkrankung von Bedeutung. Zunehmende Evidenz gibt es zum Verständnis des Zusammenhangs einer Dysbiose der Darmmikrobiota und RA. Bestimmte Stämme von Darmmikroorganismen hemmen oder schwächen nachgewiesenermaßen die Immunantwort bei experimentellen RA-Modellen ab, was darauf hinweist, dass bestimmte Spezies bei den kommensalen Darmbakterien entweder eine pathogene oder eine protektive Rolle bei der Entstehung der RA spielen könnten. Die orale Zufuhr von Pro-/Präbiotika kann daher einen therapeutischen Ansatz bei der RA-Behandlung darstellen. Allerdings steckt die entscheidende wissenschaftliche Forschung noch in den Anfängen, und die verfügbaren Daten in diesem Bereich sind begrenzt. Der Einsatz neuer Sequenzierungstechnologien ermöglicht den Versuch einer ausgedehnten Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs zwischen der intestinalen Bakterienflora und menschlichen Erkrankungen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird eine Übersicht über die Bedeutung der Darmmikrobiota bei RA-Progression gegeben und erörtert, auf welche Weise spezifische Bakterienstämme die Immunantwort im Krankheitsprozess regulieren. Zur Behandlung der RA werden auch Pro-/Präbiotika diskutiert.

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  1. Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, 650500, Kunming, Yunnan, China

    Y. Kang, Y. Cai, X. Zhang, X. Kong & J. Su

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  1. Y. Kang
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  2. Y. Cai
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Correspondence to J. Su.

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Y. Kang, Y. Cai, X. Zhang, X. Kong, and J. Su declare that they have no competing interests.

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Kang, Y., Cai, Y., Zhang, X. et al. Altered gut microbiota in RA: implications for treatment. Z Rheumatol 76, 451–457 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-016-0237-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00393-016-0237-5

Keywords

  • Gut microbiota dysbiosis
  • Autoimmune disorder
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Biomarkers
  • ​Probiotic therapy

Schlüsselwörter

  • Dysbiose der Darmmikrobiota
  • Autoimmune Störung
  • Rheumatoide Arthritis
  • Biomarker
  • Probiotische Therapie