The dynamic relationship of gut microbiota with sex hormones in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifactorial autoimmune disease. The sex hormones estrogen and testosterone may have an influence on the production of antibodies. In addition, the gut microbiota also shows an effect on the onset and progression of SLE. Hence, the molecular interplay between sex hormones in terms of gender difference, gut microbiota and SLE is being clarified day after day. The aim of this review is to investigate the dynamic relationship of the gut microbiota with sex hormones in systemic lupus erythematosus taking into account the bacterial strains shown to be affected, effects of antibiotics and other factors that affect the gut microbiome, which itself strong-ly affects the pathogenesis of SLE.

Keywords

• systemic lupus erythematosus
• sex hormones
• gut microbiota
• autoimmunity
• molecular mimicry