title: Toll-like receptor mediated modulation of T cell response by commensal intestinal microbiota as a trigger for autoimmune arthritis.
abstract: In autoimmune diseases, a disturbance of the balance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) is often observed. This disturbed balance is also the case in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Genetic predisposition to RA confers the presence of several polymorphisms mainly regulating activation of T lymphocytes. However, the presence of susceptibility factors is neither necessary nor sufficient to explain the disease development, emphasizing the importance of environmental factors. Multiple studies have shown that commensal gut microbiota is of great influence on immune homeostasis and can trigger the development of autoimmune diseases by favoring induction of Th17 cells over Tregs. However the mechanism by which intestinal microbiota influences the Th cell balance is not completely understood. Here we review the current evidence supporting the involvement of commensal intestinal microbiota in rheumatoid arthritis, along with a potential role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in modulating the relevant Th cell responses to trigger autoimmunity. A better understanding of TLR triggering by intestinal microbiota and subsequent T cell activation might offer new perspectives for manipulating the T cell response in RA patients and may lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets or even preventive measures.
authors: Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Rebecca
authors: 0000-0002-6940-0630
authors: R
authors: Rogier
authors: Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Marije I
authors: MI
authors: Koenders
authors: Experimental Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands.
authors: Shahla
authors: 0000-0002-0860-8008
authors: S
authors: Abdollahi-Roodsaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001168:Arthritis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D011485:Protein Binding; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors