Affiliation:
1. University of Aberdeen, Institute of Medical Sciences, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
2. Eye Clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
Abstract
The microbiome exerts considerable control over immune homeostasis and influences susceptibility to autoimmune and autoinflammatory disease (AD/AID) such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes (T1D), psoriasis, and uveitis. In part, this is due to direct effects of the microbiome on gastrointestinal (GI) physiology and nutrient transport, but also to indirect effects on immunoregulatory controls, including induction and stabilization of T regulatory cells (
). Secreted bacterial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are under intense investigation as mediators of these effects. In contrast, folate (vitamin B9), an essential micronutrient, has attracted less attention, possibly because it exerts global physiological effects which are difficult to differentiate from specific effects on the immune system. Here, we review the role of folate in AD/AID with some emphasis on sight-threatening autoimmune uveitis. Since folate is required for the generation and maintenance of
, we propose that one mechanism for microbiome-based control of AD/AID is via folate-dependent induction of GI tract
, particularly colonic
, via anergic T cells (
). Hence, folate supplementation has potential prophylactic and/or therapeutic benefit in AID/AD.
Subject
Immunology,General Medicine,Immunology and Allergy
Cited by
12 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献