Scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio have found a link between lupus and a bacterium in the gut microbiome. This discovery could lead to more effective treatment of the disease.
Systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1.5 million Americans. The disease has no cure and current treatments merely help those afflicted manage their symptoms and prevent organ damage. Lupus symptoms can vary greatly, and many people spend years visiting different doctors looking for relief.
Researchers from UT San Antonio’s Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine found that the bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is depleted in the gut microbiome of lupus patients.
Their study, which was published in Nature Communications, showed that supplementing that bacteria greatly reduced markers of the disease in animal models. Reintroduction of the bacteria partially restored immune regulation and also showed positive effects on the kidneys and spleen.
Visit the UT Health San Antonio Newsroom for the full article about this groundbreaking study. Learn more about the research team, the gut’s effects on immune response and the promising potential for a probiotic lupus treatment.
