Bridging Microbiomes: Exploring Oral and Gut Microbiomes in Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases- New Insights and Therapeutic Frontiers

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) are the most common organ-specific autoimmune disorders characterized by thyroid dysfunction and immune system deficiencies. In recent decades, the role of the microbiome in autoimmune diseases has gained increasing attention, with emerging research linking gut microbiome alterations to the development of AITDs. This review summarizes current knowledge on the relationship between AITDs and the gut microbiome. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of the oral microbiome in AITDs, an area often overlooked in autoimmune research. Beyond the microbiome, the virome and mycobiome have been recognized as critical but underexplored components of the human microbiome, potentially contributing to immune dysregulation and the pathogenesis of AITDs. The review also explores modulating the microbiome for managing AITDs, including diet adjustment, the potential use of probiotics, postbiotics, symbiotics, and even fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore a balanced microbiome that may positively influence the immune system and, by extension, the course of AITDs. This review thoroughly explores the intricate relationship between AITDs, the gut, and oral microbiomes, paving the way for precision medicine applications in AITDs. Examining microbiota-thyroid interactions highlights the potential for targeted, personalized treatments and novel therapeutic therapies, guiding future therapeutic strategies for more effective and precisely tailored AITD management approaches.

Keywords

• Autoimmune thyroid diseases
• gut microbiome
• oral microbiome