연구성과 홍보

Life Sci. 2025 Aug 1:374:123684.

Title : Identification of specific gut microbes and their therapeutic potential in ameliorating systemic lupus erythematosus in a mouse model

Authors : Ji-Seon Ahn1, Ye-Been Lee2, Eui-Jeong Han1, Yu-Jin Choi3, Da-Hye Kim4, Seung Ki Kwok5, Hyung-Kyoon Choi6*, Hea-Jong Chung7*

Affiliations :

1Honam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea.

2College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.

3Honam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea; Department of Integrative Food, Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.

4Honam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Institute for Medical Science, Jeonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54907, Republic of Korea.

5Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

6College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea.

7Honam Regional Center, Korea Basic Science Institute, Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul 06974, Republic of Korea; Department of Bio-Analysis Science, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34413, Republic of Korea.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2025.123684.

Abstract :

Aims: The gut microbiome significantly influences autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome and metabolome in SLE and evaluate the therapeutic potential of specific microbial supplementation in MRL/lpr mice.

Materials and methods: MRL/lpr mice, a well-established model for SLE, were used to analyze gut microbiome changes before and after SLE symptom onset. 16S rRNA sequencing and GC-MS-based metabolic profiling were performed to identify key microbial species and associated metabolites. Selected microbes were supplemented in MRL/lpr mice for 10 weeks, and their effects on SLE symptoms and Th17/Treg balance were evaluated.

Key findings: Eisenbergiella massiliensis, Lacrimispora saccharolytica, and Hungatella xylanolytica were significantly decreased in MRL/lpr mice following the onset of SLE symptoms. These microbes were strongly correlated with specific metabolites, including 5-cholestanol, cholesterol, p-cresol, and indole. Supplementation with these microbes alleviated SLE symptoms and modulated the Th17/Treg balance.

Significance: This study highlights the critical role of gut microbiota in immune regulation and SLE symptom relief. Targeted microbial supplementation may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for managing SLE.